‘Sex for marks’ lecturers warned

LECTURERS who slept with students who hoped for higher marks would not be tolerated at institutions of higher learning.

Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana told more than 300 students and staff attending the provincial launch of the annual First Things First Campaign at The Goldfields auditorium in North Campus yesterday that the department would enforce a new policy to be drafted in August.

Manana revealed that up until now the department did not have a clear and responsive plan of handling rape incidents or lecturers who offered students good marks if they slept with them.

Manana said while the sexual assault and rape of female students was highlighted by Rhodes University students who protested topless last year, the department had uncovered a longstanding problem that was “previously suppressed”.

“After the Rhodes incident we realise that there was a bigger problem. Rape culture in our institutions is not new but it was suppressed,” he said.

Manana said one of the largest problems was lecturers sleeping with students in return for improved marks.

“We engaged with universities and we found there was an outcry not only from your privileged universities but historically disadvantaged institutions, and TVET colleges were also saying we have this problem,” Manana said.

A task team of 15 individuals, including members from the National Prosecuting Authority, is currently drafting a policy that will be presented by August.

“The task team will present a report by August and by the end of this year we will have a responsive plan to deal with lecturers who sleep with students.

“We don’t want lecturers that abuse young female students in exchange for marks. It’s wrong and unethical and cannot be allowed,” Manana said.

A number of Rhodes University students, who attended yesterd discussion, declined to comment on rape incidents at Rhodes.

A young woman, who declined to be named, said: “The situation is still very sensitive at Rhodes.”

The topic of “blessers” and “spice mommies” – older people who sleep with youngsters in exchange for goods – also took centre stage at the event as speakers urged students to avoid relationships in which women offered for sex.

Higher Education HIV-Aids programmes director Dr Ramneek Ahluwalia said 14% of the higher education population was involved in transactional sex in the form of “blessers”.

“The aim of the campaign is to encourage young people to prioritise their health holistically,” Ahluwalia said.

First Things First brand ambassador and motivational speaker Criselda Kananda Dudumashe said a high infection rate among students was further exacerbated by the “blesser” trend as a result of social and economic issues.

“Unfortunately for many students the easiest way for them to get access to things is to use their vaginas instead of persevering at school,” she said. — TMG older men and benefits in exchange