Return to remote learning as COVID-19 third wave unfolds

Tunisia has suspended face-to-face learning in all educational institutions, including universities and higher learning institutions, due to COVID and will use online education for a period of two weeks, starting from 19 April.

The examinations and discussions of research work and assignments will still be conducted in person, according to a 17 April press statement posted on the Facebook page of the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Professor Sami Hammami, the vice-president of the University of Sfax in charge of programmes, training and professional integration, told University World News the decision followed a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus-related deaths since the start of April.

By 18 April, Tunisia had recorded 283,976 COVID-19 infections, including 9,717 deaths, according to Corona Tracker.

This infection rate puts Tunisia in the second position within the North African region after Morocco which is the only country in the 10 Arab North African countries where teachers are currently vaccinated as a priority group.

Student community response

In a statement on 17 April, the Tunisian Union of Students expressed its concern and held the government responsible for the health situation in the country.

The union also called for postponing all in-person discussions, assignments and examinations scheduled during the period of distance education from 19 to 30 April.

In addition, the student union asked the government to provide vaccinations for students and university students, especially those suffering from chronic diseases.

It rejected the proposal of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to deliver university and other educational courses through online learning because students, due to inequalities, would not have equal access.

Hammami agreed with the students, saying online learning could have been a solution if the authorities could ensure that students had equal opportunities.

Since 17 April the ministry has taken several measures, including the opening of university hostels and restaurants for students who stay at the university and do not have the means to follow distance education from home, and the opening of certain lecture halls equipped with computer tools and internet connections to allow them to follow the lessons while following health protocols.

Academics

Najmuddin Juweidah, the general coordinator of the Union of Tunisian University Teachers and Researchers (IJABA), told University World News the change would not make a significant difference as institutions already carried out blended learning, including contact and distance lessons.

“Despite the failure of the ministry to provide the means for the distance education system more than a year ago, it was done in the time of the coronavirus, many universities are succeeding in the use of this solution [blended learning] due to efforts of professors and students,” Juweidah pointed out.

“The ministry only focuses on concluding the academic year by whatever means, even by reducing the course materials, as happened last year and which negatively affected the students,” said Juweidah.

He said the “catastrophic situation” in higher education institutions in terms of the spread of COVID-19 was the ministry’s fault, as it did not implement health protocols. Professors, he said, were teaching in crowded lecture halls.