Boland College Strand campus’ Student Representative Council (SRC) believes it is justified in sacrificing a day of learning to ensure students’ expectations are fulfilled in future.
Students at the campus marched down Aerodrome Road in Strand on Monday (24 February), protesting the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) alleged delays in pending application results, late payments, unpaid accommodation and other injustices (“Boland College students take to the streets over non-payment from NSFAS”, Netwerk24/DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette, 24 February).
“It isn’t fair that we students have to suffer in this way due to unpaid accommodation,” said SRC chairperson Chevolean Speelman Benadie.
After DistrictMail & HelderbergGazette posted a video of the protest comments started pouring in. Some supported the students, while others criticised them for their perceived entitlements.
However, Boland College campus’ SRC vice-chairperson, Mogamat Josephs believes that standing in solidarity with past, present and future students justifies missing classes.
“There are 50 other campuses also participating in peaceful protests for our right to a higher education, which necessitates such a sacrifice,” Josephs pointed out.
He referred to the “Fees Must Fall” protests of 2015, from which today’s students are reaping the benefits.
“Hopefully, if we also stand up for the right things future students will benefit from our sacrifices,” he added.
The protest was called off on Monday after national student-leadership bodies met with Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. Boland College principal Charles Goodwin commended the minister for her leadership.
“Boland College respects students’ right to a peaceful protest and applauds the SRC for its responsible leadership in ensuring demonstrations remained orderly while upholding the integrity of the supplementary exams,” he said.
DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette reached out to NSFAS for comment regarding student demands, allegations of students being sexually exploited due to unpaid accommodation, and concerns that the scheme has historically ignored Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges.
However, no response was received by the time of going to press.
