08 May 2017

Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology Dr Alfred Madigele says consultative meetings with tertiary institutions’ Student Representative Councils (SRCs) provides his ministry with a forum to discuss and resolve matters amicably with students.

Dr Madigele met representatives of SRCs from all tertiary institutions at Botswana Accountancy College on Thursday, and briefed them on the progress of disciplinary cases involving some University of Botswana (UB) students charged for their role in the recent students’ demonstrations.

He said government was still waiting for the UB management to complete disciplinary cases with the affected students, but a representative of UB SRC expressed concern at the long time it had taken for the matter to be concluded, arguing that it would end up disadvantaging the affected students.

He urged the minister to intervene and ensure that the matter was resolved.  

However, the minister explained he could not interfere on the matter because the resolution of disciplinary cases was the domain of the UB vice chancellor and management.

He added that he would let the law take its cause, but advised students that they were free to appeal to him if they were unhappy with the verdict after the conclusion of the case.

Student leaders also got an opportunity to present their complaints to the minister, and the Roads Training Centre SRC pleaded with Dr Madigele to consider transferring their institution to the ministry of tertiary education from that of transport and communications.

Dr Madigele said the issue was not under the ambit of the ministry portfolio, but expressed hope that the institution would be moved to the same ministry as other tertiaries institutions.

Botho University SRC asked the minister to intervene in the issue of their suspended SRC members.

Furthermore, they called for an  increase in the living allowances of tertiary institution students sponsored by government, explaining that the current allowance was inadequate.

“Maybe it is time for us to institute a study to find out the standard of living of students. It is common knowledge that (because of lack of money) some of our students end up doing wrong things to make ends meet.

These are some of the issues we should continually engage in so that we can find solutions,” the minister said in response to the students allowance increase request.

New Era College SRC complained to the minister that the list of Botswana Qualification Authority accredited courses had not been released, but BQA chief executive officer, Mr Abel Modungwa assured them that the list would be released soon.

Dr Madigele said constructive criticism by the student leadership would the ministry to improve the quality of education offered in tertiary institutions.

The permanent secretary in the ministry of tertiary education, Dr Theophilus Mooko explained that the purpose of the engagement was to ensure that the ministry continuously interacted with students’ leadership.

He also said it was a demonstration of commitment by the ministry to deliver quality education. BOPA