Hikuama hits back at DDT College

The chairperson of the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Basic Education and Skills Development, Kanaingura Hikuama has come out with guns blazing condemning the DDT College of Medicine over a statement issued by the institution.The college issued a public Notice following its victory in a court case against Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA). The institution insinuated that Hikuama is one of the politicians that encouraged and supported riots by the students.According to Hikuama, the Press Statement purported to be coming from DDT College of Medicine, has been presented in a manner that no rational person can believe to be authentic.“Off course it is in the public domain that DDT College of Medicine is currently embroiled in a significant controversy, threatening to damage its credibility as an institution of higher learning, with a high potential of shaking its financial basis and its relevance for existence. This, on its own, is a good enough ground, to force any person or institution to become a good candidate for misinformation as a survival tactic,” said Hikuama, who is also the Botswana Congress Party (BCP)’s Shadow Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education."It is true that in recent months, we have seen a fury of negative media coverage surrounding the DDT College of Medicine," he said, adding that students have been vocal in their protests, citing a range of grievances from the quality of education and facilities to the uncertain status of their qualifications.Hikuama further stated that these concerns have been amplified by questions regarding the accreditation of some of the college's programs, leading to a climate of uncertainty and distrust among the students and the public. This situation, he said has escalated to the political level, with at least the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Basic Education and Skills Development, that he Chairs, officially stepping in, through the established, formal and legal process.“It is not my intention to circumvent that route because of the questionable and shabby press statement. But I wish to call upon the students and public to view that statement with caution, more especially in the paragraph where it allegedly states that I bought 72 black T-shirts for the sudents. These are pure lies and deliberate misinformation peddled by desperate individual or individuals with no facts nor understanding of what is our role as a Parliamentary committee or as the Chairperson thereof,” contended Hikuama, who is also MP for Maun West.He emphasised that their committee won't feel intimidated nor derailed on its core mandate through fake and emotional outbursts, “surely we will conclude the matter as per the requirement of the lawand mandate of the committee without fear nor favor from any quarter.”He expressed suspicion that this is a propaganda tactic with the aim to intimidate and create fear amongst the students and parents, an act with hall marks of desperation."The general public, parents, and students should remain calm as our committee and the Ministry of Higher Education treat this issue with the utmost importance and seriousness it deserves. We will do all within our power to bring sanity and progress on the matter," he said.The public should understand that the prevailing controversy surrounding DDT College is fueled by students' protests, accreditation issues, and calls for its closure, and indeed, these issues would make any official-looking statement from the institution subject to scrutiny.”According to the MP, he expects a credible and authentic institution of higher learning to be more remorseful and concerned about its reputation, because a strong reputation of a learning institution is essentially a signal of trust and excellence. In addition to reputation, a credible institution of learning should be boastful of its successful and satisfied alumni not a temporary order of the court, argued Hikuama.“Successful and satisfied alumni are a testament to the institution's impact on their lives and careers. Alumni should become brand ambassadors and mentors for current and potential students. Therefore a press statement from a credible and sound institution should be noticed by a high level of professionalism and courteous tone," said the MP.

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Hikuama hits back at DDT College