Richfield switches students to distance-learning during Covid-19 outbreak

Richfield has taken steps to put the health of their students and staff above everything else. 

After heavy consideration, the institution made the decision to cancel all 2020 graduation ceremonies.

“While we understand the personal significance of graduation, we feel that cancelling these was the most responsible step to take in light of the Covid-19 outbreak and to protect our staff, our graduates and their families,” their statement refers. 

Richfield would have hosted 27 graduation ceremonies all over the country and could not,  have gone on with these due to the traveling of graduates and their families for the ceremonies and the congregation of large crowds of people. The cancellation of these ceremonies will not adversely affect graduates. All Richfield students scheduled to graduate in 2020 will receive their graduate status and arrangements will be made for them to receive their qualifications in due course. 

Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on the 15th of March, Richfield has decided to suspend all contact classes and replace them with technology-based lessons. Richfield by design is able to switch to digital classes as all of their students are equipped with free tablets and/or laptops when they register which has the necessary software pre-installed.

Due to some strategic partnerships the institution is also in the fortunate position of being able to offer their students free access to their Online Learning Management System.

“We continue to work tirelessly to make this transition as seamless as possible for on-campus students,” their statement refers. 

In line with the above steps, Richfield has put guidelines and policies together for staff during this difficult time.

“We encourage all staff to work from home if they begin to show symptoms of Covid-19 and to get tested to ensure we manage this as tightly as possible.

While we are doing our best to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 pandemic we would like to take this opportunity to ask students, staff and other stakeholders to take steps to reduce the spread of the virus. We urge all persons to limit unnecessary travel and to practice good hygiene by frequently washing hands and only coughing or sneezing into your arms. We also ask that you are weary of what you share on social media and by word of mouth,” continues the statement.

Richfield also encourages citizens to fact-check all heresy on reputable news outlets and only share what they know to be true.

“Sharing misinformation is a disservice to our Richfield communities and South Africa at large as it causes unnecessary panic and leaves others ill-equipped to efficiently deal with the pandemic,” the statement reiterates.  

Richfield extends an invitation to all stakeholders to like and follow them on social media where they will post frequent updates regarding their position in the Covid-19 outbreak. 

“We at Richfield are pleased that our student’s educations will not be compromised due to the outbreak and we wish to share the privilege by reducing the spread of the virus and keeping our communities safe. We know that if we all make a conscious effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 we will achieve this and continue with world-class education even in the face of adversity,” the statement concludes.   

Richfield is a private higher education institution committed to world-class education.

Richfield offers a variety of qualifications at 35 campuses nationwide and offers work-integrated learning as well as distance learning.