Masisi fails to convince boycotting TCE students
Bonte Seepi | Wednesday September 3, 2014 16:24
After years of their complaints falling on deaf ears, the students on Wednesday vowed that enough was enough and refused to go to their classes. They said they wanted nothing but answers to their complaints, which include the fact that school buildings are dilapidated, that rats and cockroaches are roaming uncontrolled, on top of a litany of shortages from staff to equipment.
During a tense meeting with seething students, who refused to eat food, Masisi was forced to dig deep into his bag of diplomacy and tact to ensure that the situation did not spill over into anarchy. The acting minister told the students that he had had a discussion with their management and the Students Representative Council. “I am unhappy with the school management for the situation at this school; it is worrying and unacceptable,” he said.
“During my meeting with the school management, I demanded that they become more proactive in resolving the problems affecting students.” Students Representative Council president, Kesaobaka Ditshike, told Mmegi on the sidelines of their meeting with Masisi that students are facing numerous challenges in the school, which even affect their studies.
Ditshike indicated that their main grievance is that self-sponsored students are not allowed to pay their school fees on a monthly basis, but are required to pay on a fixed term basis.
Other grievances include shortage of equipment like computers at the school library, worn out textbooks, inadequate sports equipment and others. “We cannot learn well in an environment where there are no such materials,” he said. “We are not crying for increases in our allowances, but rather the improvement of the learning environment. “As it is, there is a shortage of staff and we are making do with unqualified lecturers.” He cited the example of Special Needs Education course, which he said is done by 644 students but only has one lecturer.
“This school has a shortage of lecturers. Another example is in Education Technology, which also has one lecturer and 264 first year students,” said Ditshike.
Students also cited challenges such as shortage of meals at the kitchen, poor conditions of the ablutions blocks, cold bathing water and shortage of accommodation.
“The shortage of accommodation has resulted in students either sharing three to a room which is supposed to accommodate only two, or students living off campus,” he said.
“There is not a single television set in the entire institution and neither is there transport for sporting activities. When we enquire about transport, we are told that there is an open truck available.”
In response, Masisi said the issue of self-sponsored students being required to pay only fixed term fees would have to be discussed with other authorities before students are given feedback. “You are right to demand that you are treated with dignity so that you can also treat others with dignity as you are regarded as tomorrow’s teachers,” he said.
Meanwhile the Regional Operations Director (Central) Molebi Morolong has promised students a resolution to their troubles as soon as possible. “The Department of Building and Electrical Services will be in the school next week Friday to repair electrical and mechanical faults,” she said to jeers from students.
“From today, management will also start eradicating the rats and cockroaches that have infested the school.
“The cold room and refectory as well as malfunctioning toilets will also be attended to.” Students surveyed expressed their dissatisfaction with the promises from the minister and the school administration, saying Masisi should have addressed them directly before meeting with management.