Student unrest at Polytechnic

STUDENTS and management at the Polytechnic of Namibia appeared set on a collision course at the end of last week over long festering issues, which the Student Representative Council (SRC) says the institution’s management has failed to address.

Students were scheduled to have a placard demonstration on campus today to bring their grievances to the attention of the Polytechnic management. “Education in Namibia is a democratic platform, it is important for students to speak out and to be given the opportunity to express themselves on issues affecting them,” said Neville Andre Itope, the Secretary General of Namibia National Student Organisation (NNASO), told the students.Prominent among issues raised at a General Student Assembly (GSA), on Wednesday was a ban on students entering the Polytechnic library with their bags, a move students say was implemented arbitrarily and without consultation.The ban was instituted in the wake of allegations by campus security that computer parts had been stolen from the library.It raised emotions at the GSA because students charged that their bags are being rifled or stolen when they leave them outside the library.”It wasn’t ok.I can’t concentrate (in the library) because I keep worrying about my bag.And if I go look for it, it’s not in the position I left it,” said a student who didn’t want to be identified.”We weren’t even informed.It’s like we are being accused.Like we are nobodies,” said another student.”Polytechnic has a culture of making decisions without consultations,” charged Paulus Hawanga, SRC of Information and Publicity.”We don’t want to promote that.It is the misuse of power.”Calicious Nawa, Deputy Bursar: Auxiliary Services, commenting on the theft of library equipment, said: “We didn’t say it was the students.We didn’t point any fingers.Everyone, including the staff, is treated equally.”According to Nawa, the issue had been resolved by Friday, and students could once again enter the library with their bags.He also said that the institution would install more lockers so students could lock away their bags.However, student leaders lashed out saying that once again a decision had been taken without the SRC being consulted.Another issue raised at Wednesday’s GSA was the Education Ministry’s tardiness in paying out loans to student loan holders.* Alice Kutwa and Francis Shaahama write for Echoes.”Education in Namibia is a democratic platform, it is important for students to speak out and to be given the opportunity to express themselves on issues affecting them,” said Neville Andre Itope, the Secretary General of Namibia National Student Organisation (NNASO), told the students.Prominent among issues raised at a General Student Assembly (GSA), on Wednesday was a ban on students entering the Polytechnic library with their bags, a move students say was implemented arbitrarily and without consultation.The ban was instituted in the wake of allegations by campus security that computer parts had been stolen from the library.It raised emotions at the GSA because students charged that their bags are being rifled or stolen when they leave them outside the library.”It wasn’t ok.I can’t concentrate (in the library) because I keep worrying about my bag.And if I go look for it, it’s not in the position I left it,” said a student who didn’t want to be identified.”We weren’t even informed.It’s like we are being accused.Like we are nobodies,” said another student.”Polytechnic has a culture of making decisions without consultations,” charged Paulus Hawanga, SRC of Information and Publicity.”We don’t want to promote that.It is the misuse of power.”Calicious Nawa, Deputy Bursar: Auxiliary Services, commenting on the theft of library equipment, said: “We didn’t say it was the students.We didn’t point any fingers.Everyone, including the staff, is treated equally.”According to Nawa, the issue had been resolved by Friday, and students could once again enter the library with their bags.He also said that the institution would install more lockers so students could lock away their bags.However, student leaders lashed out saying that once again a decision had been taken without the SRC being consulted.Another issue raised at Wednesday’s GSA was the Education Ministry’s tardiness in paying out loans to student loan holders.* Alice Kutwa and Francis Shaahama write for Echoes.