Student satisfaction with institutions in dealing with COVID-19 at a South African rural university

ABSTRACT Improved student learning abilities and successful academic performance hinge on several factors. This includes the varying supports received from different education stakeholders. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, different student supports have been affected in ways impacting higher education students. This article draws upon data analysed from a larger, global study that involved six continents. This article explores student satisfaction in dealing with institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic using a sample from a rural South African university containing 106 undergraduates. Findings show more students were relatively satisfied with the support received from firstly hospitals, followed by banks, and then the government. Many students were disappointed with the support received from their university. These findings are discussed amid current literature. The article concludes by recommending that rural institutions of higher education review their roles to students and explore various ways of providing due support, especially during outbreaks of epidemics.