Navigating through COVID-19 Pandemic Period in Implementing Quality Teaching and Learning for Higher Education...

Area of Science:

• Higher Education Studies
• Pandemic Response
• Educational Technology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional higher education globally, forcing a rapid transition to multimodal and online teaching methods.
• Many institutions faced challenges in adapting to online instruction, highlighting a need for robust support systems.
• South Africa's Department of Higher Education aimed to provide necessary resources to maintain educational continuity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the support mechanisms for quality higher education teaching and learning in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess institutional adherence to government regulations and safety measures.
• To provide recommendations for future preparedness and digital transformation in higher education.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive qualitative research design was employed.
• Data were collected through document analysis of eight South African government COVID-19 regulations pertaining to higher education and training.
• Purposive sampling was used to select relevant regulatory documents.

Main Results:

• Most higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa successfully adhered to safety protocols.
• Business continuity in teaching and learning was maintained.
• Distribution of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances and safe return procedures for students were managed.

Conclusions:

• South African HEIs demonstrated resilience and adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The study recommends the continued integration of online teaching within blended learning models for future readiness.
• Embracing online and blended learning aligns with digital transformation imperatives in higher education.