The Implication of ‘Rurality’ in Terms of Higher Education in a Rural South African Context

Abstract

Students based in higher education institutions in rural settings are faced with various challenges. This literature study offers insights into the implication of ‘rurality’ in terms of Higher Education in a rural context, considering student well-being and social work training challenges. It stresses that the University of Zululand has put in place a number of initiatives to support teaching and learning considering the above. The authors present the defining characteristics of rurality and higher education, make a historical rural-urban comparison, and discuss social work fieldwork training challenges and wellbeing. Recognizing the challenges posed, some solutions are posited to mitigate them. The article also stresses the need to be cognisant of the fact that there is not only a problem of marginalization and privilege in rural settings, but also in urban settings where in less affluent areas, the facilities are inferior and numerous other disadvantages manifest. Thus, any desired upward mobility for students from impoverished areas is challenging to say the least. The work is not based on any intellectual framework or theoretical stance but is placed in the socio-economic structure of our South African society and what ‘rurality’ implies. Keywords: rurality, higher education, South Africa, social work, disability