Abstract:
The global COVID-19 pandemic has greatly dis
rupted education worldwide, including in Sub-Saharan Af
rica, which was caught off guard. Remote work has become
a viable option for maintaining social distancing, even after
the pandemic. However, there is limited evidence on who
should bear the cost of internet access for remote work. This
paper focuses on three research questions: how lecturers
perceive remote work, how internet costs hinder remote
working, and who should be responsible for covering the
cost of internet access. Using a phenomenological approach,
the study involved three key informants and sixteen lectur
ers from four public universities. Data was collected
through in-depth interviews and analysed thematically. The
results revealed that university lecturers view remote work
as important for professional growth. However, the high
cost of internet access deters remote working as lecturers
struggle to afford data bundles for their work responsibili
ties. Also, it was found that employers should bear the costs
of internet for remote working because it enhances
efficiency and job satisfaction. Universities should also
revise their policies to provide financial support for lecturers who work remotely, including setting a
minimum internet cost per week for all scholars working remotely.
