COVID-19: University students deserve fee rebate

University students deserve fee rebate. Do you agree? University students deserve fee rebate if they are to complete the semester off-campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With traditional academic work disrupted, students cannot use school facilities such as lecture halls, libraries, and utilities, all of which they paid for in advance. The government has given a 50% reduction in electricity and free water for three months ie April, May and June 2020. What are the universities going to do when students have paid in advance for these?

If students request the rebate or a fraction of their fees for the semester, it would be a fair request for their pound of flesh. No one saw this pandemic coming and so such a request with be right placed.

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Universities that have hostel facilities that students have paid for, need to consider how much they have to refund to students out of their hostel fees and facility user fees as a way of cushioning students with some funds so that they can buy the needed essentials while at home to access online education.

Ethical and reputation related dilemmas confront universities and other higher learning institutions on what to do. It will be very unfair and unethical not to give students any rebates.

Typical of tertiary institutions, it is difficult to give students refunds. Do not be surprised if the universities decide to give students rebates but through a reduction in the next semester fees for continuing students and for students graduating, a reduction in the cost of their graduation fee, transcripts, etc without necessary parting with money.

For other universities, expect them to give many reasons based on data, science, and statistics why they will not refund a penny. Some will refer students to clauses such as this …If you have been allocated a University hostel/accommodation after the start of your studies with us, you will be liable to the hostel charges or will not be entitled to any refund of hostel fees paid in advance.”  These are not normal times indeed …

For those that believe in fairness, equity and want to earn more reputation and uphold ethical values, they will say

Such students will be required to complete a Fee Refund Form duly endorsed and submit the same to the students Financial Services to be processed.

Look forward to what your university will say and do not be surprised by the outcome.

Now that courses will be completed online, students will not get the education they paid for in the way they should and the online learning experience is likely not going to be like the physical contact (face-to-face) lectures.

For students whose examinations demand practical lessons, for instance in a science lab, one can wonder what they will do.

Universities have all shifted to online teaching because of COVID-19 and although Ghana has lifted the partial lockdown, schools remain closed.

If courses are adjusted to suite online lesson effectiveness without teaching all the essentials, then students will surely complete the course, semester and their programs (final year students) without mastering some essential skills. In all these, none of the universities both private and the public have indicated intentions to give students a fee rebate.

Will university students be giving fee rebates by their various schools? Only time will tell.

 

 

Source: NewsGhana24