Disappointed Student

This is my second semester at Stadio, and unfortunately, I am extremely dissatisfied with how the institution is managed and the lack of communication.

Last semester, I was enrolled in two modules, including RDM. Initially, we had one lecturer, and then suddenly, a second lecturer took over without any prior notification. There were no emails or official communication informing us, as students, of this change. Furthermore, lectures or revision sessions to help with assignments were often scheduled during the same week the assignments were due. To make matters worse, both modules often had assignments due on the same day or within the same week. Considering that most of us are part-time students and full-time teachers with heavy work responsibilities, this was incredibly overwhelming.

I experienced an incident where I was unable to submit my assignment on time, even though it was completed. The assignment was due on a Thursday, which is problematic in itself since we are part-time students who need weekends to manage our time better. I emailed the institution the very next morning (Friday), explaining the situation and requesting an extension. I provided all the necessary evidence to show the assignment was done, explaining that I was on a flight and had network issues. To this day, no one has responded to my request, nor have I received any update regarding a rewrite or supplementary exam.

Fast forward to this semester, and the situation has not improved. I registered and paid for my supplementary exam nearly three weeks ago, and I still haven’t received confirmation of my registration. Last year, a group of students and I sent a formal email to Stadio regarding a similar issue, and to this day, that email has been ignored. One student even went to the campus in person to try to get help but received no assistance.

I have paid all my fees in full, including registration and additional fees, hoping that this would prompt a response. Yet, the lack of communication remains a major issue. Stadio seems to prioritize money over the actual educational experience, which is deeply disappointing.

This Bachelor of Education Honours degree has left a bitter taste in my mouth. If it weren’t for the financial investment I’ve already made in the first semester, I would have dropped out and enrolled at another institution. Previously, I studied at UKZN, which is a government institution, and the service there was far superior to what I am experiencing at Stadio. For a private institution, I had high expectations of better service, communication, and quality education, but this has been nothing short of a frustrating and painful journey.

Many other students share the same sentiment, and I hope this feedback is taken seriously so that changes can be made to improve the experience for current and future students.