In their petition to the ministry, they want an undertaking that an adjustment of students’ allowances would be made by September 20. The ministry has been given seven days to make this undertaking. The students demanded that the adjustment should be done in accordance with the Students’ Representative Council’s (SRC) proposal which was submitted to the Department of Student Placement and Welfare last month.
The students said they want the allowances to be reviewed because they have difficulties meeting their obligations, especially after the recent hike in public transport fares.
They said in view of the increasing cumulative effects of inflation, Value Added Tax (VAT) and the devaluation of the Pula, there is an urgent need for the adjustment of the allowances.
“Sir, we bring to your attention that allowances were last increased in 1998 and that many market forces that prevail have since eroded the buying power of the Pula,” the petition stated. It added that it was disturbing that meal allowances for students staying on campus have been adjusted at the behest of catering companies at UB. “Is it because we do not have any corporate backing to push for our other allowances to be reviewed?. Or is it not manifest and clear that there is a dire need for increments, and that the need has existed since 1999/2000?.”
The Director of Student Placement and Welfare, Florence Stoneham who received the petition, said they would respond in due course.
Meanwhile, in their petition to the UB administration, the students have made demands that off campus, personal, stationery and book allowances should be credited in their accounts forthwith.
They demanded that the dezoning at the refectories should be fully-fledged and operational by Friday. In the interim, the management should device a means through which students may enjoy their freedom of choice and association in respect of meals.
The students further want to be accorded a shuttle bus service to ferry them between the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) and the main campus. They also want a similar arrangement to be made for Post Graduate Diploma of Education (PGDE) students who attend their classes at the Anglican Cathedral Church.
The petition said it was disappointing that after a month, first year students have still not been paid their allowances. “It is appalling. It is very unfortunate that students have not yet received their allowances despite the fact that it is common knowledge that not all of us here are from affluent families. Many first year students are not particularly familiar with Gaborone and its environs and they are now subjected to very compromising conditions due to lack of financial resources. It is common knowledge that even up to now, some are still struggling to find accommodation in the university campus or elsewhere in Gaborone.
What means do they have getting basic necessities like toiletries, stationery, books or even travelling to and from UB?,” the petition asked. Regarding the late payment of off campus allowance, the students said they were informed that the money would be credited to their accounts by last Friday. But even by yesterday, they had not been paid.
“There are many of us who pay rent, buy our own food and foot our own transport bills on the meagre P815 that is offered. Many students are now facing eviction for defaulting on their rent and for falsely promising landlords that payments would have been made by this past week. Many are now facing starvation, many are now in a dilemma as to whether to miss classes or have to walk to and from UB from as far as Gabane or Mochudi,” the students submitted in their petition.
UB Vice Chancellor, Bojosi Otlhogile assured the students that the management would respond to their concerns accordingly.
