26 Jan 2025

The Assistant Minister of Higher Education, Mr Justin Hunyepa has urged  staff and management of Barolong Vocational Training Centre (VTC), Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) and Lobatse Brigade to maximise resources at their disposal.

Assistant Minister of Higher Education visited the three institutions recently to assess their current state  and relevance of their curricula, as well as to hear grievances from both students and staff.

Students at the Barolong VTC highlighted the absence of permanent lecturers which left them at a disadvantage when temporary contracts expired. They also compained about poor living conditions in hostels and lack of protective clothing, concerns echoed by their those from IHS.

Staff members corroborated the student complaints, emphasising the institution’s scarcity of adequate staffing.

They also expressed concern over the absence of a principal, which they claimed hindered the resolution of various staff welfare issues. Additionally, there were calls for an urgent curriculum overhaul to align with modern educational demands.

Addressing these issues, Assistant Minister Hunyepa urged staff to streamline operations by reducing bureaucratic procedures to increase productivity.

He encouraged the VTC to capitalise on the extensive land available for food production, suggesting that they should rely less on external food supplies.

“You are sitting on a gold mine with lots of opportunities,” he stated.

Mr Hunyepa emphasised the potential for partnerships with local farmers, given the VTC’s location within a farming community.

Such collaborations, he said, would provide students with valuable practical experience, equipping them for the job market post-graduation.

“It is high time students became hands-on so that by the time they graduate, they would be ready to start their businesses and hire others,” he remarked.

At the Lobatse Institute of Health Sciences, staff raised issues including insufficient housing for faculty, inadequate resources, and an unbalanced teacher-student ratio which significantly impacted the quality of education.

Complaints also arose regarding dilapidated hostels and classrooms.

In response, the Assistant Minister encouraged the management of the IHS to think creatively and explore partnerships with local organizations, such as the Lobatse Brigade, to assist in maintaining their facilities.

Given the brigade  curriculum, which includes courses in bricklaying and carpentry, such collaborations could prove beneficial. ENDS