Vice chancellors should not use online learning as an expense-saving or convenience measure, warned the Universities Minister yesterday.
Michelle Donelan stated that institutions need to be more transparent about their plans for face-to-face education. In a letter to each university president, she outlined her expectations that students will be heard.
Since May, all classes have been permitted to offer in-person instruction. This was after Covid lockeddown measures that meant certain degrees could only be accessed online for several months.
Many universities choose to offer some distance learning even though they no longer have restrictions for face-to–face education. Thousands of students across the country have signed petitions to protest at their lack of in-person teaching while still paying fees of £9,250-a-year.
Michelle Donelan, Minister Universities (pictured:) Face-to face learning was temporarily suspended during the uncertainty that Covid-19 created. Universities should not use this temporary shift in learning as a way to save money or make it easier.
Miss Donelan, writing for The Tab, stated that face-toface learning was under threat during the uncertain times of Covid-19.
Universities should not consider this temporary shift in learning as an opportunity to save money or be more convenient.
“Virtual learning, while a great innovation, should never be taken away from your learning experience.
She attended the three-day walkout at 58 universities organized by students of the University Union.
Her comments were further emphasized by her: “Students have already been through enough. Any additional disruption of their learning is unfair and totally unneeded.”