Pinetown TVET college students protest over funding
The college management has urged students to be patient as they, along with other TVET colleges in South Africa, awaiting directive from the Department of Higher Education and Training regarding laptop policies and funding.
CLASSES were disrupted at the Pinetown Elangeni TVET College campus following protest action by students who are calling for their grievances to be addressed.
The protest, which started last Friday, spiraled out of control and a few students were injured after police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
On Tuesday, 23 March, police continued to monitor the situation at the campus.
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A crowd of students were complaining about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
They gathered outside the college on Tuesday in Bamboo Lane, Pinetown calling for management to address their grievances.
Students who spoke to the Highway Mail on the condition of anonymity in fear of being victimised, said the NSFAS funding which was R2180 has been decreased to R1000.
According to students they have not received the funding since the beginning of the academic year.
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“Most of us come from far and we are renting here. We are three months behind with the rent money.
“Others have been evicted and do not have a place to stay. Students have no money for food and bus fare. I know one student who has resorted to walking everyday from Westville to Pinetown so that he can write the exams,” said one of the students.
The students claimed there are no lecturers for other subjects and no textbooks were made available, yet they were still expected to write those exams.
“We were promised laptops which we still have not received. We know for a fact that those laptops have been provided by the department, other campus did receive them,” added the students.
The group of students said they are appealing to the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande to intervene.
“We want the NSFAS money to be paid directly to us as it was done before.”
The issue with students cards was also raised with one student saying she had been studying at Elangeni since 2019 but to this day, she never had a student card despite details and pictures being taken.
“Every time we walk through the gate we are required to produce proof of registration, we want student cards like all other campuses,” she said.
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A resident who stays in a block flats in Bamboo Lane, Stephanie Amod, said her heart goes out to the students. “I really hope the management can resolve this, I believe many of the students are coming from poor backgrounds and just want to better their lives.”
According to Lucky Ngubane from the principal’s office, the management met with Student Representative Council (SRC) members on Friday.
He urged students to be patient and concentrate on their exams.
“Elangeni, along with other TVET colleges in South Africa, is awaiting directive from the Department of Higher Education and Training regarding laptop policies and funding.”
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
