Limko is crying out for attention

| Tuesday May 28, 2013 00:00

A lot be has been going on at LUCT recently. Towards the end of February this year, LUCT students embarked on a class boycott and a peaceful demonstration to protest what they termed lack of consultation by university management. The students were not happy with the arrangement between the university and the Department of Tertiary Education Financing (DTEF). Through the SRC, the students explained that upon enrolling, they signed a memorandum of agreement that defined the relationship that students would have with both the university and DTEF.  They complained that students previously had all their book allowances deposited into their bank accounts, but now the money has been split into two instalments. According to the students, 50 percent of their book allowance was deposited into the bookshop account while the other half is deposited into their bank accounts.

They queried the failure by management to consult with them before implementing this new arrangement. They also expressed their unhappiness with the school bookshop that started operating in 2011, alleging that the bookstore had shortage of material that they needed for practical subjects and serviced less than 35 percent of the university community.  At that time, the university management said it was willing to dialogue with the student leadership to resolve the problem. Two months later, a love-hate relationship between LUCT and the SRC unravelled in the form of a class boycott to protest - once again -the  suspension of student leaders. It was reported that police used teargas to disperse the striking students. Rather tactlessly, the Ministry of Education issued a stern warning to the students that they would lose their government sponsored scholarships if they did not return to class.

Protesting students then allegedly attacked others for attending classes. MoE said students caught causing disorder would be sent packing immediately. It advised all government-sponsored students to desist from this behaviour and report for classes with immediate effect.Once again, instigators were warned that they would 'have their sponsorship withdrawn'. This time around, the warning was extended to 'any other tertiary institution sponsored by the Government of Botswana'.  The situation at LUCT is untenable and must be resolved once and for all. The government, the students and the university management should put their differences aside and find a lasting solution to their problems. We do not want to apportion blame, but something must surely be amiss at the university if students always seem to resort to demonstrations.  One of the parties is being economical with the truth. The situation calls for an investigation by an independent body because going the litigation route will only harden attitudes. Students are future leaders and quality leadership and management should be imparted to them at an early stage.

                                                                     Today's thought

                                                'A riot is the language of the unheard.'

                                                             - Martin Luther King Jr.