18 Sep 2018

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has assured tertiary institutions students that government would do its best to address their challenges. 

Students’ leaders expressed the challenges facing various tertiary institutions learners during a meeting with President Masisi, which was held at Ba Isago University on September 17.

Ba Isago University Students Representative Council (SRC) president Mmirwa Basupile said some issues of concern to the students included studying unaccredited courses, inadequate students living allowance and bad conditions of lecture rooms.

“It is not appropriate for government to sponsor a course that is not accredited,” he said.

He added that students were concerned about charges to their students’ bank accounts.

“We have issues with our bank. We want to understand what the initial agreement between First National Bank and government concerning our bank accounts was. Are we supposed to be charged?” 

The president of Youth Need a Voice (YNV) Poloko Pitwane expressed concern about the quality of some lecturers and the examinations in some tertiary institutions. 

He also urged students to always channel their grievances in a constructive manner instead of rushing to stage demonstrations.

President Masisi commended the students for their mature way of airing their grievances and promised that relevant authorities would work round the clock to address their concerns.

“We are well aware of the increasing cost of living and will do our best to continue reviewing the allowance,” he said.

He further encouraged them to brave their present situation and work hard to pass their studies.

Assistant minister of Tertiary Education, Research and Science Technology Mr Fidelis Molao said it was good for the tertiary students’ community to articulate their challenges. 

He informed students that the ministry had established an office for student welfare issues and urged them to use it to air their grievances. ENDS