MAHIKENG MAIL-MAHIKENG: Disgruntled students of the North West University, (Mahikeng Campus) on Monday led a protest action, which disrupted learning and blocked the university entrance, following dissatisfaction, including a 50% book allowance of learning materials.
The protest action was led by the Chairperson of Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) at the NWU, Lesego Sekgabetlele, who indicated that the 50% allowance should have be affected to students before 28 February, which didn’t happen, causing students to protest against the university management.
“This 50% book allowance is meant for materialis that are used during the teaching and learning processes. So it can’t be business as usual when students are instructed to go lecture rooms, but they don’t have the laptops or books that are required for them for learning,” said Sekgabetlele.
NWU’s Communication Manager (Mafikeng campus), Oscar Mosiane said the North West University was well aware of the protest that has been taking place at Mahikeng campus as result of the non-payment of NSFAS allowances.
“Yesterday, following the agreement by the university and different student affiliates, 276 out of 394 students that were having problems with NSFAS received their allowances. Obviously when you receive your allowance, it will reflect in your bank account - maybe starting on Friday. So it was agreed that, from Monday until Friday payments will be made. The university has intervened and is trying to find ways to allocate money from a budget project, so that the money can be used to assist the students.That money will be claimed back when NSFAS starts paying the university.
“The protest is a result of a new system that NSFAS implemented that was supposed to, for the first time, pay 50% of student allowances. This became a problem as it was not enough to cover books, leaving students with no money for food and accommodation.
So, the university has introduced an initiative that we call “A meal a day”, where students can use meal tickets and coupons for groceries that can be used to buy at different outlets. The university will always try to find ways to assist our students as we cannot afford student attending classes on empty stomachs,” said Mosiane.
