Exemption fees rile BOCODOL students

Baboki Kayawe | Wednesday September 2, 2015 15:02

 

The learners completed their diploma programmes through distance learning at the institute and are now enrolled for their degrees. The learners say BOCODOL made them start their degrees at year two, as they had already covered the first year modules while pursuing their diplomas.

They however say that the institution then required that all students pay P4,840 as an exemption fee, a decision the students say was communicated late and forced many to scurry about raising funds for the payment.

 “We were given admission letters on June 24, 2015, but nothing was said about these extra fees until we registered at the beginning of August. We then received letters dated July 13 informing us about the exemption fees,” said one concerned student.

Another student said they had parted with about P6,000 for tuition and yet were required to pay the exemption fee no later than November 2015.

The learners told Mmegi that BOCODOL management claimed that the exemption fee was 40 percent of the diploma course fee.

“This does not add up because we paid P4,800 for the diploma programme, and we are being asked to pay the same amount as an exemption fee under the degree programme,” one student said.

On August 2, the embittered learners queried the exemption fees in a letter to BOCODOL with a representative of the institution’s executive director responding shortly thereafter. “As we previously explained, there was an oversight in communicating the exemption fees at the time of issuing the admission letters. The intention was not in any way meant to disadvantage our learners. This is done on account of recognition of prior learning and relevant work experience.

“In fact the arrangement is to the advantage of learners in the sense that they take relatively shorter period to complete their programme of study and in the process incur lesser prices,” said the representative.

The letter further reminds students that in line with BOCODOL’s enrollment policy, “all fees shall be determined by the College and are subject to change and review from time to time”. BOCODOL has not responded to enquiries sent by Mmegi on August 17, 2015 on the matter, despite the institution’s public relations department acknowledging receipt of the letter.

A spokesperson at the distance learning college instead asked this publication to provide names of the aggrieved students.

Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) chief, Patrick Molutsi termed the practice ‘strange’ and ‘not acceptable.’

“Exemption fees are mostly under the Botswana Qualifications Authority scope, but nonetheless it is weird that the students are made to pay again for courses they have done and paid for,” he said.

The HRDC is tasked with the planning, funding, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of tertiary education in the country.