All PGCE students at North West University must do 40 days of school-based teaching practice in their period of study at a Faculty of Education approved school. Non-negotiable dates for WIL (Teacher-practice) are set for each semester – 20 days in semester 1 and 20 days in semester 2. This will require of the student to avail themselves for 40 days of WIL in a year of study.

In 2022(2nd semester), some lecturers have decided to give tests or hold online classes amidst WIL. A decision that is very oppressive on the part of NWU students (us). Teacher-practice is very tiring because we expense our concentration on the learners. This entails standing long hours, marking (sometimes after hours), and using a variety of teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles. All this requires time and energy (physical, mental, and emotional).

 We plead, though most students “demand”, that NWU halt contact/ online sessions, assignments and tests during WIL period. We don’t have the time and energy for it. Our focus during this period is on the learners. If NWU persists in giving students work or holding contact/ online classes, some colleagues will compromise teaching and grade school learners will suffer the most. Let’s all (lectures, mentor-teachers and student-teachers) prioritize the needs of learners during WIL, it begins with proper time allocation and a well-rested teacher.