Ministry closes down GTC

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Friday February 1, 2008 00:00

The students were warned by Education Minister Jacob Nkate in writing on Wednesday that if they did not return to class by 9am yesterday he would, in accordance with the provisions of section 27 of the Education Act, close the college and expect all students to vacate college premises by 11 am the same day. However, the students did not heed the instruction and heavily armed Botswana Police officers descended on the GTC campus to eject them if they resisted. The students, who had been holding peaceful demonstrations, took their bags and left for their respective homes after crowding at the gates and raising their hands in surrender while shouting: 'Kill us if you can.' 

The latest developments came about after the Student Representative Council (SRC) turned down a meeting called by ministry officials that was supposed to be held today, arguing that they wanted Minister Nkate to address them in person and not through correspondence.

However, Zuze explained that their standoff with the students started on January 23 when they received a message that the students wished to serve the minister with a petition. She indicated that permanent secretary Festinah Bakwena and senior ministry officials would be available to discuss with them their grievances on that day and that a demonstration to hand in a petition should be the last resort. 'This advice was subsequently reiterated in writing. The students insisted on presenting their petition even in the absence of the minister to a ministry official,' Zuze said about the petition that was handed in on January 24th and received by Segomotso Basiamang, who was then acting deputy permanent secretary.

She said the ministry responded to the petition within two days as per the students' demand addressing all issued outlined in the petition and advised them to resume classes by Monday.

Zuze revealed that in response the students insisted that the minister must address them in the afternoon of the same day not later than 1400hours. 'The permanent Secretary however advised that the minister was not available that day and that the minister was inviting the SRC to a meeting in his office on Friday,' she asserted.

On Wednesday, Zuze explained that the students responded to the correspondence that included instructions for them to return to class and invitation to the minister's meeting by declining both and insisting that he should go and address the whole school. 'At this juncture the minister notified them in writing that if they did not return to class by Thursday morning he would, in accordance with the Education Act, close the college and expect all students to vacate the premises. The students ignored the instructions and to safeguard property the college had to be closed while a way forward is being discussed,' she said.

But SRC president Kelemogile Ramasu said after receiving the final letter from the minister they had a meeting with the students who declined to resume classes. 'They said that they did not care about the school being closed but wanted some positive response from the ministry. I strongly believe that their refusal to go back to class, even when the school was being closed, shows that they are fed up,' Ramasu said.