UB management to tackle challenges, but SRC suspended
The University of Botswana (UB) has suspended the entire Student Representative Council (SRC) which on Tuesday disrupted classes by locking lecture rooms and inciting students not to attend lessons.
The SRC did this in a bid to vent their frustrations over students' allowances, lack of safety on campus and assistance to the Disability Support Unit, among others. UB SRC Secretary General Selekanyo Mahube told The Midweek Sun that threats of suspension would not deter their collective pursuit of justice and a better learning environment for all.
According to Mahube, they have been engaging management on these issues including maintenance of facilities on the campus. He said that some students use cold water and have to walk to other hostels to get warm water.
He said the security at the campus needs to be improved, stating that even though UB has internal security, it is not enough.
“Currently the contract with those companies expired in March this year, UB students are not safe as last semester there were three rape cases and attempted rape cases and these incidents occur when students are coming from or going to their bathrooms”, Mahube said.
Mahube implored UB management to engage at least one security officer in each hostel to ensure students’ safety.
Meanwhile, Nosipho Nolwana, 20, a first-year international student is disappointed at the turn of events, regretting that she had to go through all the inconvenience in the campus when her parents paid for her to have the best learning environment.
Nolwana thought she would be provided with accommodation within campus when she arrived but was unfortunately told there is no accommodation and had to secure her own outside campus.
Banda Mazebedi, another student said the UB management is not serious and hoped that the students’ boycott of classes would grab their attention to act. He said student internet services provided through Mascom 1GB network for their online lessons and assessments is not enough.
In response, UB Director of Public Affairs, Dr Faith Rapuleng-Tuelo confirmed that the University of Botswana is currently experiencing disruption of lessons by the SRC, which is advising students to boycott lessons based on a couple of issues including, student allowances, safety on campus, Disability Support Services, as well as Bachelor of Science Students applications.
She said the Executive Management Team has and is currently working on measures geared towards addressing the said issues, adding that the University disapproves action by the SRC to intentionally disrupt learning.
“It should be noted that SRC actions contravene the Student Code of Conduct as such, has no legal right to disrupt classes. The disruption of classes by the SRC is highly inappropriate as it brings the image of the University into disrepute,” she said, further adding that the University has an obligation to assist the Sponsor (DTEF) with due diligence to avoid contravening the sponsorship agreement.
She explained that the results for Semester Two of 2022/23 were approved by Senate on the 16th of June 2023 and after their full verification, those for DTEF sponsored students who attained Proceed (Good Academic Standing) were shared with DTEF on the 29th of June 2023.
According to Tuelo, the University acknowledges that there was an outstanding list of students who were still sitting for their supplementary exams. Nevertheless, the list was submitted to DTEF on the 31st of July 2023.
“The University is alive to the concerns over safety around campus and is in the process of contracting a security services provider to reinforce existing security measures,” she said.
Meanwhile, Tuelo said security patrols have been increased in and around campus while the number of Protection Services personnel at the entrances of the student residences has been doubled to monitor movement around the hostels.
Further, the University Protection Services personnel will be working double shift to increase presence of security on campus.
“The University assures the student community that existing security personnel are working round the clock to ensure the safety of all people and property within the University,” Tuelo said, adding that the University is an inclusive community as such will continue to provide support services to students living with disabilities to facilitate an equitable and conducive learning environment for all.