The long-awaited staggered learning timetable has finally been released by Makerere University where the students and lecturers are expected to have a combination of online classes with physical classes. Makerere University e-learning has been combined with physical classes in a new model of learning called staggered learning due to recent grievances by the majority of the students.
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Makerere University e-learning will happen in shifts
In the recently published letter by the University, there have been scheduled months for each year of students to study in shifts in the new academic year. This will majorly benefit students who study courses that require practical lessons like engineering and medicine courses.
According to the letter, year one students and all students doing health and veterinary science programmes, architecture and fourth year students doing agriculture will be in the first group that reports to campus. They’ll be followed by second year students in the second shift and finally final year students.
The university hasn’t released any communication on the organization for the exam period but promises to organize in the future.
This follows a recent announcement by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Barnabas Nawangwe thanking Airtel, Africell and MTN for their cooperation with the University to extend their offers for zero rates for Makerere University e-learning websites. This offer will allow students and lecturers access certain websites for free as long as they are connected to the three networks.
Read more: Africell, MTN to extend the offer for zero rates for MUK websites making access affordable
However, VPNs do not work well with these websites requiring people to pay OTT tax or use a WiFi connection.
The University promises that the staggered lining where the Makerere University e-learning is combined with physical classes will be in line with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure that the spread of the coronavirus is contained.
At the beginning of the year, a number of students complained about the Makerere University e-learning program that took place in the last academic year. There were complaints about lack of access to the internet because of how costly data is and other students did not have the gadgets that they could use for e-learning.
This time around, the University is making effort to see that it tries to solve some of these issues so that students are not left behind in their studies. Hopefully, these steps to ensure that there is a smooth learning experience will be beneficial to both students and lecturers.
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