Open letter to The Dean of Students and Vice Chancellor of the National

University of Science and Technology (NUST)

CC : Chairperson of Journalism and Media Studies,

: Registrar, Chancellor and the entire Academic Affairs department

: Lecturers and To Whom It May Concern!

SUBJECT : online lecturers, tutorials, submission of written work online, group work or any
course work.

Hoping this open mail finds you safe and corona free! The below are key pressing matters that need
your attention.

Firstly may we commend the efforts to ensure learning continues happening during the lockdown
period. Lecturer led online tutorials, demand for submission of work online is stressing and
traumatising to Students. Students have plenty challenges that cannot be ignored in light of the new
developments. At least six students do not have phones, a sizable and alarming number do not have
smart phones. Amongst those privileged to have smart phones, these have mouthpiece repairs that
need urgent attention. In that same elite group of students, inflated data costs have taken a massive
toll. Of the tutorials that have been ongoing, minimum to zero participation and failure to
comprehend the new teaching methods is very visible.

Students are not been excused from the harsh economic climate; it actually tackles them with extra
venom and force. Our class is diverse, it consists of individuals from different backgrounds some on
scholarship, some unemployed self-funded students, and a minute few has stable financial backing.
Some of our parents are retired, the few that work are not getting their salaries and some are
informal traders affected by the lockdown. Journalism students are feeling the economic turmoil like
the rest of the country, as such we have unanimously agreed on the below which makes sense until
further notice.

1 – We will accept additional reading material (not that we have the data to download them, but it’s
the best situation in light of the economic crisis we facing as a nation)

2 – Lecturers should desist from long voice notes (one minute long, once a day and we do not
guarantee maximum participation because the majority if not all cannot afford data)

3– We will continue reading the material we already have as guided by the course outlines pre-
lockdown.

4 – We will not be able to submit any work online, however if the privileged elite manage to, please
do not punish those that have not as they are genuinely incapacitated to research or submit. We
refuse pressure by what other departments may be doing or not doing regarding the online work.

Class Rep email: sibandabukiwe80@gmail.com

Alternative email: mduduzimakandidze@gmail.com

Yours Truly

Journalism 2.2 Con class.

DIGITAL DIVIDE IS NO NEW CONCERPT IN THIS COUNTRY!!!!