The Faculty acknowledges that we are now moving into a time of increased load-shedding and students must do everything possible to plan ahead (by charging all devices and trying to take precautions, e.g. moving to another area that is not affected at the time). Unfortunately, load-shedding remains beyond the control of the Faculty and the University.
Much thought has been given to making changes to the start times of assessments, or to allow for staggered starting times, or having tests open for longer, or making more extensive use of multiple-choice questions or multiple LQ scenarios to allow for greater randomisation.
However, given the great variation in locations where our students currently reside, it is simply not feasible or practically possible, to take all potential load-shedding schedules into account. Furthermore, all of the aforementioned options see both benefits and drawbacks associated with them, from the perspective of teaching and learning best-practices, assessment reliability and validity, and simple lecturer capacity both in terms of generating alternative assessment formats, but also marking of same. As such, the Faculty kindly requests students to download the “Eskom se Push” app from your applicable mobile app store, and plan accordingly. If you allow push notifications, you will receive warning of load shedding schedules, which will provide time to make possible arrangements. Students are also reminded of the central Faculty email address regarding the submission of your online tests, should SUNLearn not be available. Attached is a further document that might further assist students in preparing for load shedding, as provided by the University.
With the above in mind, the Faculty remains mindful of the possible challenges that are to be experienced by students as a result of load-shedding, during the upcoming assessment period. As a result, students are please to take note of the following arrangements and requirements, that are now in place in regards to tests and the calculation of predicate marks, within all undergraduate law modules for the duration of 2020.
Test opportunities
2020 Year Modules:
- Where a student writes both the first test (June) and the second test (September) and obtains an average of at least 40%, there will not be a third test for such a student. The student’s class mark (predicate) is then calculated on the basis of the two tests that had been written and the average must be at least 40% for access to the examination.
- If a student misses either the first test or the second test or both owing to illness or another valid reason (such as load-shedding), a third test opportunity (thus after the second test) will be available for the student (the so-called “parachute test”).
- A student who writes (or accessed) both the first test and the second test and who still does not obtain an average of 40%, will also be able to write the third test (the “parachute test”). Note that a student in this category cannot obtain a class mark of higher than 40%.
- A student who wrote (or accessed) either the first or second test and who still does not obtain an average of 40%, will also be able to write the third test (the “parachute test”). The student’s class mark (predicate) is then calculated on the basis of the two tests that had been written and the average must be at least 40% for access to the examination.
- Where a student missed both tests due to illness or another valid reason (such as load-shedding), the mark allocated in the third test (the “parachute test”) will be capped at 40%. If a student then still does not obtain a class mark of at least 40%, the student will not get access to the examination.
- No further test opportunities will be available.
2020 Second Semester Modules:
- If a student misses the test owing to illness or another valid reason (such as load-shedding), a second test opportunity will be available for the student (the so-called “parachute test”).
- A student who writes (or accessed) the test and who does not achieve a mark of 40%, will be able to write the second test (the “parachute test”). The student’s class mark (predicate) is then capped at 40% for access to the examination.
- No further test opportunities will be available.
Managing loadshedding
Know your schedule
Download a reliable app and check it regularly for updates on loadshedding levels. Even if no loadshedding is planned, check the possible schedule and know when your area will have loadshedding if it is instated at the last minute.
Eskom se Push is the recommended app for keeping an eye on the loadshedding schedule and status:
- Click here to download Eskom se Push from the Google Play Store.
- Click here to download Eskom se Push from the Apple App Store.
Keep your devices charged
Charge your laptop, phone and mobile router (if you have these devices available) beforehand.
- Remember you can always use your phone as a WiFi hotspot for internet connection during loadshedding. Test this beforehand so that you know you are ready when you need to use it.
Go to another location
If you know that loadshedding will be implemented during an assessment opportunity, find an area close to you that does not have loadshedding during that time. Try to find a public space with reliable WiFi. Alternatively you can ask a friend or relative, in a different area, if you can visit them.
Social visits are allowed during Level 2 lockdown in South Africa. Always adhere to social distancing and wash your hands regularly.