21 Jun 2021

Shortage of teaching and non-teaching staff at Serowe Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) affects the institution’s performance, school principal Ms Tebogo Morolong has said.

She raised the concern during  a tour of the institution by Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education Research Science and Technology Mr Ronald Shamukuni recently. 

She said since 2010 the school had operated with staff compliment of 104, a close to  50 per cent shortage.

She indicated that there were eight cleaners expected to clean eight blocks of library, procurement unit, auditorium and student union hall daily.

Ms Morolong due to the staff  shortage and workload, some areas were left unattended for longer periods.

Concerning maintenance of both students and staff houses, the principal said there was a backlog and buildings had not been maintained for a long time.

She said there were no recreational facilities for students and staff, and that sports grounds were not in a usable state. 

“There are no football and softball pitch but there is enough space within the institution,” she said. 

On staff accommodation the principal mentioned that the institution has 40 staff houses, a dire shortage which had forced some to rent in the village.

“A good number of these officers have reported break-ins and threats. I therefore request that facility management explore possibilities of renting out BHC houses as we see it happening at basic education, a sister institution,” she said. 

She said the institution, built to produce marketable graduates  across the globe, had excelled in that regard, but continued to face challenges which many included shortage of accommodation and staff.

She also as a modern intuitions they needed electronic gadgets compatible with current technologies, noting that most of their desktops and computers were not functioning. 

She also mentioned no internet connectivity points in many offices and conference rooms. She also requested assistance with backup generator, to use during power outages.

Though acknowledging the challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic, Ms Morolong said normal life should be maintained.

Students’ representative, Ms Naledi Mabuse told the assistant minister that students faced challenges which needed immediate attention, citing unavailability of hot water, non-functioning computers in the school and unhygienic ablution facilities. 

On behalf of staff, Ms Sephiwe Balosang mentioned lack of progression, noting that most of lectures had been in one scale for a longer time, leading to a demoralised staff.

She also talked about shortage of ICT equipment, which she said impacted on staff daily performance.

In response, assistant minister and his entourage promised feedback as soon as possible, but cautioned that the country was still grappling with COVID-19 pandemic. Ends