Students at the Central Johannesburg College’s Alexandra campus have called on the Department of Higher Education of Training and the college management to meet them on Monday to discuss their grievances‚ which include courses being moved to other campuses in the country.
“We need to fix this problem today. We can’t lose another day‚” said Clive Mogale‚ executive of the student leadership and the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command president at the campus.
“Our main concern is that they moved courses‚ including some of the mechanical engineering courses‚ to another campus without consulting us‚” he said.
Mogale said the students have garnered support from the community and have blocked roads around the college‚ including London Road‚ which runs through the township.
“We are in this situation now‚ there is no way we can go back without it being fixed‚” he said. “Some of us can't afford to travel to another campus every day and NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) doesn't want to pay for accommodation. They built this campus for students in Alexandra.”
Another student‚ who asked not to be named‚ said students had a list of grievances‚ including critical equipment not being available for some courses as well as no access to the internet.
Police spokesperson Captain Ali Kodisang said the SAPS was engaging with students and student leaders.
“I can confirm that there are ongoing protests. There has been no damage to property or throwing of stones‚ but they are burning tyres‚” he said.
Kodisang said the police will continue to monitor the situation.
– TMG Digital/The Times
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