College students irate over ‘irrelevant’ course

College students say they have wasted their time and money on useless course

Steven Makhanya

March 1, 2017

UMFOLOZI TVET College students who completed a teachers course at the Isithebe campus in Mandeni, say the course has been described as irrelevant and was a waste of their time and money.

The students flocked to Isithebe College campus in 2013 after learning of the Educare teaching diploma course, hoping for an opportunity to become teachers.

Educare supposedly equips students with the skills to teach learners at crèche and pre-school levels.

It is split into two parts – 18 months of theory in class and another 18 months of in-service training at a crèche or pre-school of their choice – after which they graduate with a diploma.

‘The principal at a school where I’m doing my in-service training told me this is an irrelevant course,’ said a stressed student.

The students accuse the course coordinator of lying to them about the relevance of the course, saying she kept encouraging and promising them they would find work after they had finished their studies.

The first course intake who finished their studies in 2015 say they still haven’t received their diplomas.

They also allege the college promised in-service stipends, which they don’t receive because they either have an outstanding module, or have to write a supplementary exam.

Umfolozi TVET College spokesperson Bhekani Ndlovu said Educare is among the programmes the college offers, a course that can be accessed at other colleges as well.

‘The students who enroll for the course are made aware at the beginning they will not qualify as teachers and are urged to go to universities if they want to qualify as educators.

‘It must be pointed out that he Department of Higher Education and Training is in charge of issuing diplomas.

‘We understand there is a delay in the issuing of these diplomas which affects other colleges as well.’

The students say they raised the issue with SASCO as well as the campus manager, who promised to call a meeting in June last year, but never gave them feedback.

‘After writing several letters to the college Rector, who ignored us, KZN Education MEC Mthandeni Dlungwane advised us to write to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande. We have not received any correspondence from him as yet,’ the students said.