Due to the ongoing shortages of resources and basic tools of the trade from the Northern Cape Department of Health, students and lecturers from Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College in Kimberley embarked on a protest at the office of the MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, on Tuesday.
DUE TO the ongoing shortages of resources and basic tools of the trade from the Northern Cape Department of Health, students and lecturers from Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College in Kimberley embarked on a protest at the office of the MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, on Tuesday.
The protesting students said they are currently supposed to be sitting for their examinations but are unable to do so as they do not have the necessary textbooks to study for their exams.
“This department expects the college to produce the best nurses, yet we have to study under dire circumstances. We do not have any textbooks. The college does not even have printing paper to print the work. Even worse, some classes do not have boards for the lecturers to write the work on. Some classes are hazardous and were never maintained. It is a disgrace, yet on the outside, the department boasts about having a nursing college enrolled with nursing students that will assist in addressing the shortage of staff in the Province,” they said.
The students accused the department of violating their rights.
“This department is oppressing our basic rights to having a safe environment to conduct our work and studies. The college lacks the basics needs. The toilets are not working. Both female and male students, including the lecturers, have to use the one toilet that is in working condition. The other toilets are not functioning and are blocked. The department does not even supply toilet paper to the college. We have to bring our own. These problems have been building up for many years and nobody seems to be taking responsibility for anything.”
The college lecturers said they are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“We are employees of the department and it is so embarrassing to explain to the students that there are no books from where they can study or follow the work. We have to use our own personal laptops and print out work using our own money to pay for those copies,” they said.
“We have been raising these issues with the ministry for many years now. We have also written several letters to the head of department, but nothing has been done. The MEC even conducted an oversight visit to the college and noted these problems, yet still, nothing has come from what he noted. It is truly frustrating to work under these circumstances.
“Our hands are tied as we see the worsening conditions daily but are expected to motivate the students to continue and finish their studies. The worst part is that the nursing college is not accredited. However, this seems to not be a problem for the department. The Nursing Council visited the college and had not even one good word to say about the college. Urgent intervention is required.”
The head of ministry, Lorato Moleleki, told the crowd that the MEC would meet with the representatives from the college next Tuesday.
“The college has had structural problems and defects that have hampered the accreditation. However, issues of textbooks, toilet paper and paper are not matters that require the MEC and can be resolved as the ministry does have the administration to do that. These problems have been ongoing and those who are placed in positions where these matters should be addressed should take responsibility for their work. It will eliminate such problems,” said Moleleki.
The students and lecturers indicated that they will not continue with classes and/or examinations until they have met with Lekwene.
