GTC's SRC finally meets Nkate

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Wednesday February 27, 2008 00:00

The college reopened two weeks back. It was shut down after students refused to return to classes following six days of peaceful demonstrations. The SRC refused to honour the meeting that Minister Nkate had called to discuss their problems, insisting that the minister should address all the students on campus.

Speaking after yesterday's meeting, principal public relations officer Nomsah Zuze said it was agreed that the SRC should select a four-person delegation that will work with four ministry officials to resolve their grievances.

She explained that the SRC was given the platform to present their grievances, which they did in the form of a petition that they submitted last month. 'We agreed with most of their grievances and if they could have agreed to this meeting the college could not have been closed dow,n,' Zuze said. She revealed that the minister and the officials in the meeting agreed that issues like the P10 meal allowance given to the students on attachment needed to be reviewed as it was last revised in 1984. 'It is not enough to cater for transport and meals for the students a day,' she said.

SRC president Kelemogile Ramasu said that they were hopeful following assurances given by the minister.

The students had complained about the BTEP course that is not recognised by the private companies and the ministry, thereby making it difficult for graduates to find employment. They also stated that there was a shortage of lecturers at the institution, poor management of the school and late issuing of certificates. The students also want the student code of conduct book reviewed as it is outdated. They also queried the grant/loan scheme that they say is exclusive to students enrolling this year at the expense of those who enrolled late last year and are in need of the allowances to sustain themselves in the city.

Assistant Minister Moggie Mbaakanyi, Permanent Secretary Festinah Bakwena, director of the Department of Vocational and Educational Training (DVET), GTC principal and his deputy also attended the meeting.