Botho Students Vow Not To Return To Classes

Koketso Kgoboge | Monday March 13, 2017 16:49

Last Wednesday, the students met officials from the University and the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA). The students had demanded the meeting with the school management and the BQA officials during their strike two weeks ago.

The strike came as a result of revelations that the majority of the courses offered at the school were not accredited. The strike subsequently led to the indefinite closure of the Francistown Campus. According to the Students Representative Council (SRC) president, Gift Molefhe, it was confirmed at the meeting that out of the seven courses offered at the Francistown Campus only Associate of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is fully accredited.

Three courses, Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours (Hons) in Computing, BSc Hons in Accounting and BSc Hons in Network Security and Computer Forensics have not met most of the minimum of accreditation requirements and have been deferred.

“One of the reasons cited for deferring the courses was lack of proper learning facilities like laboratories. The uUiversity is compromising our education by continuing to offer courses that have not been fully accredited,” Molefhe said.

He said the other three courses have been submitted and are in a state of provisional accreditation.  Following the meeting, Molefhe said they have written a letter of demand to the school management requesting to be furnished with proof of accreditation of the lecturers.

He stated that the students resolved not to go back to classes until the issues are sorted out.

“We are satisfied with the BQA’s address; they have promised that they will give Botho University top priority in its bid to meet the accreditation criteria. They have promised that by the end of the month, issues of accreditation will have been resolved,” he said.

The dean for Botho University, Golekanye Setume confirmed the meeting and said it was fruitful as students were able to engage with the BQA officials and managed to express their concerns. 

He added that following the weekend meeting, the University is hopeful that students will return to classes soon. He said the University is working tirelessly to ensure that the concerns of students are addressed before the reopening of the school. 

“We will soon be communicating to the entire student community on the reopening date,” read a response to a questionnaire sent to Setume.