GTC students in peaceful demo

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday February 23, 2016 15:51

The BQA, students say, recognises the diplomas as certificates.

Yesterday morning, students boycotted classes and demonstrated, demanding that the college management address them on the issue and how it will be resolved. However, authorities called the police to disperse the students who had gathered in front of the administration block.

Student Representative Council (SRC) president, Moemedi Masemela told Mmegi that they found out that they were studying for certificates instead of diplomas two weeks after some students who had graduated from the college tried to register with the Engineers Registration Board. 

He said that the affected students had been admitted for three-year City and Guilds Technician Diploma courses (Fashion Design, Construction, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering) at the college.  They were shocked after finding out that they were in fact studying at certificate level.

He said that when they approached management about the issue, the authorities claimed they did not know that the content provided for the courses did not qualify to be a diploma.

“We expected management to treat this matter with urgency,” Masemela said.

“Instead, we were told that the BQA has set up a task team on the matter.

“After BQA confirmed this issue to us, we informed management about it and we expected them to take immediate action.

“Some of the students are paying a lot for this education and to be told that what they are studying for is not recognised as diploma, is heartbreaking.

“That is why they decided they should not attend classes but demand answers.” Masemela also said students are wondering why the management did not do thorough checks of the course content before offering it. 

By press time yesterday, the college’s principal could not comment as he told Mmegi that he was in a meeting.