University of Portsmouth leaders ‘disappointed’ to suspend onsite teaching but back decision

The university was responding following the prime minister’s lockdown announcement on Monday which also included the banning of face-to-face teaching in UK universities for all but a select few subjects which require a more practical input.

Responding to the government directive a university spokesman said: ‘The University of Portsmouth is disappointed to have to pause most face-to-face teaching but it’s what we have been required to do by the government, and it's the right thing to do to help reduce the transmission of the virus.’

The minister of state for universities has written to students and individual institutions highlighting that face to face teaching can only continue in medicine, dentistry and other medical related professions, veterinary science, social work and teacher training.

Throughout the pandemic many of the university’s students studying medical related professions have been supporting the Covid frontline fight.

The university spokesman added: ‘The university has advised students and staff that all teaching will be online only from January until further advised with the exception of critical health and social care courses, and initial teacher training. During this pandemic our healthcare students have worked in a variety of NHS settings, including intensive care, emergency departments, oncology, acute medicine and community settings.

‘The university has invested in extensive safety measures to keep those safe who need to be on campus. We are taking a responsible and careful approach and have followed government guidance to the letter, surpassing many of the requirements placed on us.’

The university has said it will continue its programme of asymptomatic testing for those students studying subjects who do need to return to campus as well as those who are permanently based in the city.

The decision will have been welcomed by Portsmouth City Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson who speaking on the day of the announcement said he was ‘concerned about the potential impact the return of students to the city could have on infection rates’.

He added: ‘I do feel sorry for the students who are paying for courses and accommodation which they can’t fully benefit from’.

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The university has said it’s operating a laptop loan scheme to enable students without computers to access remote learning.

The university spokesman added: ‘We are working with the Students’ Union to make sure students are informed about the University’s Student Support Fund that provides help for those students facing financial hardship. We recognise that our plans may need to change in the future following any further advice from the government.’

In a letter sent to all students the minister of state for universities, Michelle Donelan, said: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and cooperation with the measures we have put in place to keep you safe, enable you to continue your studies whilst at the same time managing the continuing risks that Covid-19 presents to us all.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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