PETTY MINISTER

The University of Botswana Student Representative Council is disappointed by Minister Thapelo Olopeng’s remarks quoted in the media, and his failures to address issues faced by students. The Tertiarty Research Science and Technology Minister told reporters that the students are pulling political stunts. This was after they were arrested for locking Department of Tertiary Education Funding (DTEF) employees in office some three weeks back as demand for student attachment allowance grows much greater than before. However, SRC vice president Tumelo Legase dismissed the minister’s remarks during a press briefing on Monday morning at the University. “It’s disappointing to see the minister being petty instead of addressing pertinent issues that students face. It has been three months and students have not received their allowance, that’s the issue he should address,” he lashed out. The SRC’s endless scuffles with DTEF seem far from over. Legase said that DTEF has been inconsistent with crediting student allowances for the longest of times and they always have to ensure that they do their job. “We have proposed an advanced student allowance management system but they are still failing to take up such ideas.” Following various engagements with the DTEF and UB Management that have failed to bear fruits, the SRC resolved to petition the DTEF Director and University of Botswana Student Welfare Director. According to Minister of Justice Carter Joseph the University Management has even failed to provide them with transportation to DTEF offices. “We are doing voluntary work for the students and management can’t even fulfil their duty of providing us with transportation,” he stressed. For his part, UB SRC President Amogelang Mokwena said they are left with no option but to petition DTEF Director and UB Student Welfare Director. He said they will call a mass demonstration and petition these “two who are failing to do their job come August.” “We don’t encourage incompetency that’s why we want them to leave office so that someone befitting and capable goes into office, we will mobilise together with other SRCs across the country and we will get enough numbers to over throw them.” The SRC has also expressed apprehension at the absence of University of Botswana Vice Chancellor Professor David Norris who is always available to give them an ear and extend a helping hand. “We have a solid relationship with Professor Norris. It’s sad that he is outside the country and cannot be of any assistance. “In his absence we have no one to run to. I can say we have no relationship with the Director of Student Welfare,” Mokwena lamented.