Disgruntled students closed down the Atlantis campus of West Coast College on Thursday.
The storm had been brewing at the campus for a few days, but Thursday morning saw many students being forced out of classrooms while writing internal exams.
According to one student who does not want to be named, question papers were even destroyed by protesting students.
These allegations were confirmed by Rhazia Hamza, Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Principal at West Coast College. “Unfortunately, a few students went on a rampage and forced other students out of the examination room. During this process examination papers were destroyed. Plans have been made to assist students affected to rewrite.”
The violence broke out after students from Du Noon and Joe Slovo wanted to show their dismay at unsafe transport to and from campus.
One student, who is also on the student representative council (SRC), and did not wish to be named, says taxi drivers are often under the influence of alcohol and negligent on the roads. According to the student, a memorandum had been handed to campus management to address the issue.
“The bus company that won the tender is still experiencing challenges,” Hamza explained, “and has not been able to begin transporting the students.”
Meanwhile, taxis were arranged to transport them, and students have cited dereliction of good service from their drivers. “Concerns were noted and relayed to taxi owners, although no evidence was presented to substantiate the allegations,” Hamza added.
She also denied a memorandum of grievances was submitted to management, but acknowledges there was a meeting between management and the SRC to resolve concerns over the taxi drivers. No resolution could be arrived at owing to the lack of evidence.
Locally based students stood helplessly by after being forced to leave the exam rooms. Most say they do not want to repeat courses.
“I understand why students are protesting, but this does not affect me,” said Melissa van Wyk, who lives at Heathfield Flats, with two jobs to cover additional study costs, even though she has a full bursary. “I don’t want to repeat my course because I cannot write exams.”
Students also asked why locals cannot receive transport allowances from the college, to cover shortfalls from those that form part of the full bursaries.
Hamza says according to the rules and guidelines for administration and management of the Department of Higher Education and Technical Training and Vocational Education and Training College Bursary scheme for 2017, “first priority must always be to cover college fees, and if there are funds still available travel or accommodation allowances may be considered.
“Students who reside within a 10-kilometre radius from the college campus should not be considered for an award for travel or accommodation allowances.”
The institution has two residences in Atlantis, where students are transported to and from college daily, thanks to private bursaries, and where safety concerns are identified.
