Amid and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Internet costs for remote work by university lecturers in Tanzania—who does the cap fit?

Abstract

The global COVID-19 pandemic has greatly dis­rupted education worldwide, including in Sub-Saharan Af­rica, which was caught off guard. Remote work has become a viable option for maintaining social distancing, even after the pandemic. However, there is limited evidence on who should bear the cost of internet access for remote work. This paper focuses on three research questions: how lecturers perceive remote work, how internet costs hinder remote working, and who should be responsible for covering the cost of internet access. Using a phenomenological approach, the study involved three key informants and sixteen lectur­ers from four public universities. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and analysed thematically. The results revealed that university lecturers view remote work as important for professional growth. However, the high cost of internet access deters remote working as lecturers struggle to afford data bundles for their work responsibili­ties. Also, it was found that employers should bear the costs of Internet for remote working because it enhances efficiency and job satisfaction. Uni­versities should also revise their policies to provide financial support for lecturers who work remotely, including setting a minimum internet cost per week for all scholars working remotely.