Page 29 - Transformation Report

TRANSFORMATION GOAL 3: Ensure the improvement of student success/
throughput, particularly those with disabilities and from historically
disadvantaged groups.

1. Improve Student Success Rates

The University was successful in improving the success
Table 10 Student Success Rates (2018-2020) rate of students from 79 percent in 2018 and 2019 to 84

percent in 2020 (see Table 10). The success rate in 2020
STUDENT SUCCESS RATES 2018-2020
exceeded the target for that year by 6.3 percent. This
is quite a remarkable achievement within the context of
84%
the complex learning and teaching challenges posed by
the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the reasons for this
significant increase need to be verified through research, it
could potentially be attributed to continuous assessments
79% 79%
that were widely implemented and students being given
multiple opportunities for assessments owing to the
difficulties emerging from the transition to emergency
remote-learning.

The “access for success” paradigm was further supported
2018 2019 2020 by the University’s organisational redesign process, which
brought together the various student support programmes
under the umbrella of the Learning Development Cluster in the Learning and Teaching Collab at the start of 2020. These
academic support programmes provide opportunities to enhance student success through initiatives such as teaching
academic life skills management, developing academic literacies (writing), Supplemental Instruction, and student success
coaching. The DHET-funded University Capacity Development Grant enabled the appointment of additional peer mentors,
tutors, Supplemental Instruction Leaders, and academic advisors to provide students with small group learning opportunities.
Data indicates that Supplemental Instruction is one of the most successful student success interventions implemented by the
University. Supplemental Instruction is provided to students in high-risk modules and courses with continued low pass rates
(55% or below) for a minimum period of 3-years.

29 TRANSFORMATION REPORT