Academic staff satisfaction suffers due to increased learner access and redress

Abstract

Historically White Afrikaans universities (HWAUs) in the past served a selected cohort of learners (Whites only) through a medium of one language. Such days have long past and currently all the children of this country can benefit from higher education. The masses of the learners from the disadvantaged groups B including Blacks, women and the disabled B have started enrolling and continue to increase in numbers in HWAUs. This has implications for academic staff satisfaction. The diversity, increase in enrolments, as well as the use of parallel medium have brought burdens to academics. In a study undertaken at the University of the Free State (UFS) increased learner access and redress were investigated as factors of transformation that are influencing academic staff satisfaction. The overall findings indicated that academics at the UFS are affected by the changes that are brought about by these factors.


South African Journal of Higher Education Vol.18(2) 2004: 265-277