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Home » Archives » Fall 2007 (Volume 5 Issue 1) - Diversity in the Writing Center
Writing Centers: Promoting Student Access in Open Distance Learning by Mirriam Lephalala and Cathy Pienaar, The University of South Africa Writing centers help improve access to education in South Africa
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Submissions Submit an article to Praxis Mirrian Lepalala and Cathy Pienaar Writing centers have become an integral part of learner support in higher education. In South Africa widening student participation policy imperatives have posed immense challenges for universities to provide academic support that is relevant to students’ needs. This paper argues for the importance of writing centers in providing the increased and varied student support demanded by the recent widening of student participation in higher education and, in particular, in open distance learning (ODL) institutions. Policies on widening student participation are of significance in South Africa where, prior to its first democratic elections in 1994, student participation in some universities was primarily determined along racial lines. The National Higher Education Act of 1997 requires that universities widen participation to accommodate students from previously under-represented and marginalized groups. Expectations are that universities, like all other civil structures, should advance equal opportunities by accommodating increasing numbers of students from previously marginalized racial groups and ensure that a greater number of these students succeed. The main reason for this is to promote social equality as well as to develop the human capacity required to advance the country's economic, social, and educational needs. The UNISA 2015: An Agenda for Transformation The University of South Africa (UNISA) is the largest ODL institution and one of the oldest universities in South Africa. The main mode of attendance is by means of correspondence making it possible for students from all areas in South Africa as well as beyond its borders to enroll at UNISA. In line with the policy imperatives of the National Higher Education Act of 1997