09 Mar 2016

Gaborone Technical College (GTC) and Francistown College of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (FCTVE) have been closed until further notice.

The closure was a result of the unrest caused by students of the two institutions, which had started on February 22 until the time of the closure on February 26.
Incidents at GTC were brought to the attention of the Minister of Education and Skills Development the following day of the unrest to the effect that students had barricaded the college gates and stopped lessons from continuing.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Dr Unity Dow said upon knowing this, she had a meeting with the students to allow them to freely express their views and grievances.
She said at the centre of the unrest was the issue of accreditation of some of the courses offered at the colleges.

Other issues raised, the minister said included delayed payment of student allowances, inadequate practical time in some courses and welfare issues, which were currently being addressed.

Meanwhile, at their meeting, students were ordered to return to classes on February 24 awaiting the ministry’s responses, which did not materialise as the situation deteriorated on February 25, with students from both colleges stopping government business by disrupting work and lessons.

Minister Dow said students carried sticks and pulled others from classes, chased employees from office, continued to barricade gates while they also sang derogatory songs.

“In order to prevent damage to public property and imminent injury to students and staff, I have found it plausible to close the two colleges on February 26, until further notice. The students will be required to reapply on re-admission upon the reopening of the two colleges on a date to be communicated to the public in due course” said Dr Dow.

She however noted that the issue of accreditation has since been resolved by the Botswana Qualifications Authority. Ends