Students reject online learning as data costs hiked by 225%

Students at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) have written to the institution's authorities asking them to defer plans for e-learning because they cannot afford the cost of the internet. The students have descried as “unjustified” the latest increase by 225% of mobile data tariffs by Econet Wireless, a leading mobile network operator.

In an email seen by University World News SRC President Abiona Mataranyika said: “While e-learning is the only way in which institutional e-learning can continue, let us not ignore the fact that access to the internet is almost a luxury and out of reach for the struggling majority of Zimbabweans.”

She added that at present there were a lot of obstacles that militated against access to e-learning, among them electricity shortages, lack of computers and training, and poor internet connection.

“Our suggestion is we just wait for the coronavirus to ease and to reopen [universities]. For now, students can do theoretical research, get course outlines from lecturers and other work to read which can done over WhatsApp since it is the only platform [that is] easily accessible,” she said.

On Tuesday, Econet adjusted its tariffs by 225% for the short message service and data bundles, citing escalating operational costs.

The increase has attracted resentment from all consumers, many of whom are working digitally in the confines of their home as a result of the coronavirus-induced lockdown and feeling the pinch of a hyperinflation ravaged economy.

Netone, the second biggest mobile network operator, has also increased its SMS and data prices with effect from 7 April. Telecel Zimbabwe, the other mobile network company, is also expected to announce increases soon.

The increase in SMS and data tariffs by the mobile companies come at a time when government has asked the companies to consider zero rating certain websites to enable students to access learning material and content content.

Professor Amon Murwira, the minister of higher education, innovation, science and technology development, said: “We have proposed the zero rating of university websites. We want telecommunication companies not to charge students when they visit websites to obtain learning material. We have written letters to this effect and we are now waiting to see how it can be concluded.”

The proposal for telecommunication companies to provide free internet services follows the rejection of online learning by students, who believe the measure is not only too expensive, but will marginalise the many students hailing from poor backgrounds. According to the country’s student unions, a mere 15% of the entire student population have access to wi-fi and data.

The rejection of virtual learning platforms by students has disorientated many universities, which were expediting the process after government gave its backing to the move, which was seen as a means to continue teaching and learning during the shutdowns.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on 1 May that schools, colleges and universities could not be reopened until several health conditions were met to guarantee the safety of pupils, students and workers in the education system.

Zimbabwe’s 35-day national lockdown ended on 4 May but was extended by another two weeks, albeit on a more relaxed level that has seen industry and commerce reopening.

Nick Mangwana, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting, recently suggested that learning institutions might open in August and proceed to December without a break to make up for lost time.

Despite being noble, the proposition for universities to provide free internet to university students has attracted criticism from some quarters such as Murwira’s predecessor, the exiled Professor Jonathan Moyo, who said in a recent Tweet that the internet should not be free to institutions that already charge students “high fees”.

Providing free internet services to university students may also prove taxing to a telecommunication sector battling constantly rising operating costs and which has resorted to adjusting tariffs frequently to survive in a hyperinflationary environment.

However, if the companies accept the proposal, local universities will join several universities in Africa that have collaborated with telecommunications companies to provide affordable or free access to online learning materials.

Among these are a range of universities in South Africa which have collaborated with major mobile network service providers to offer zero-rated access to specific educational websites, and Ghana’s Ashesi University, which is offering 10GB monthly data bundles to all students for online classes.

* This story has been updated to reflect the UZ students' response to data cost increases.