No decision yet on GTC

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Friday February 8, 2008 00:00

The college was closed last week following a standoff between the students and the ministry.

Ministry spokesperson Nomsah Zuze said officials are still discussing over the students' grievances.

'We want to see where we can meet each other half way. We are still in consultations,' she said.

She is not sure whether all of the students would be recalled when the college re-opens or whether the ringleaders would be expelled or suspended.

SRC president Kelemogile Ramasu said they have agreed to meet with the Minister of Education, Jacob Nkate. 'We have not had a meeting since the college closed but we just talked over the phone. Our wish is for the college to reopen and that is why I will today go to the ministry to set up an appointment to meet the minister,' Ramasu said.

He revealed that they have been requested to meet with the Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC).

GTC was closed last week after the students said the petition they handed to the ministry officials did not receive a satisfactory response.

The students were complaining about the BTEP course that is not recognised by private companies and the ministry.

They said this made it difficult for them to find employment. They indicated that there has been a shortage of lecturers for a long time at the institution.

They accuse the college administration of poor management and said the principal is not communicating with the students.

The students wanted the code of conduct book to be reviewed as they feel it is outdated. They queried the grant-loan scheme saying it is not favouring current students.

They claim the scheme is open only to students enrolling this year.