IOL students concerned over studies – Nantu

THE Namibia National Teachers’ Union (Nantu) says it has received numerous complaints from Institute of Open Learning (IOL) students who may be left stranded due to the termination of an agreement between the IOL and South African-based North-West University.

The secretary general of the union, Basilius Haingura, said students are concerned that they will not be able to complete their courses in November as a result, and that they may forfeit their studies. ‘We regarded this as an unfair treatment of our members – teachers – as many tertiary institutions give ample time to their students to complete their studies when they are phasing out courses,’ said Haigura. The registrar of the IOL, Petrus van Vuuren, said all students registered with the IOL/North-West University until December 31, will have ‘100%’ of the benefits as previous students. He said depending on the courses, students will have their two- or three-year period of study time. ‘Obviously, if a student did not complete the course in the prescribed time, the studies will be terminated … a rule and regulation that comply with all registered students,’ said Van Vuuren. He said studies of students currently registered and still within the time span of two or three years to complete their studies, will not be terminated by December 31. This means that a student registered during October will have time until August 2013 to complete the course.'[The] contract signed with North-West University many years ago makes provision for this specific case. Students will not be disadvantaged because of the ‘not-renewal’ of the contract,’ responded Van Vuuren. Haingura said the North-West University upon consultation said students are still registered with the university despite the fact that the agreement with IOL had come to an end. Student details still appear on the database of the university, which knows their status, and the university responded that it would do anything in its power to ensure students completed their studies, within a ‘reasonable period’ of time. North-West University has signed an agreement with a local education provider, the Business School of Excellence, which will offer the university’s courses in Namibia, instead of IOL. Nantu called on all affected teachers, students, or members to provide its office with the details of their names, course of study, identify number, year of registration, current year of study, and a brief description of their arrangements. Affected students can contact Alina Shikongo of Nantu at 0812799951.

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