An Investigation Into the Impact of COVID-19 on the Academic Performance of Students in Higher Education Institutions in Namibia

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the academic performance of students during emergency remote teaching and learning in higher education institutions in Namibia. This study used qualitative methods, meaning qualitative data were collected and analysed using interpretive techniques. This study employed a case study research design as a single unit of analysis. In this case study, the fourth-year NUST students were the participants. This study used semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data to establish the experiences and views of honour students’ self-regulation learning skills during emergency remote teaching and learning and how it affected their academic performance. The study participants were 30 honour students who provided information regarding their experience and views influence of COVID-19 on the academic performance of students in higher education institutions in Namibia during emergency remote teaching and learning. The study findings were that most students were facing the challenges of not having devices to participate in online teaching and learning. Some students do not know how to use gadgets to learn, and network coverage was the main issue for some students, such as network data and self-teaching or learning. In addition, some students stated that there was a lack of Internet access for online classes that lack commitment and self-discipline for many students because they know that they do not write the examination on their respective campuses. This study recommends that higher education institutions in Namibia use parallel hybrid teaching and learning of both online and face-to-face modes of teaching and learning.