Eastern Cape universities in dire straits

PARLIAMENT’S higher education portfolio committee is concerned about the lack of student accommodation at institutions of higher learning in the Eastern Cape.

More than three students squat in a single room at some institutions and other building infrastructure is dilapidated.

“We found a situation that is absolutely shocking,” committee chairperson Connie September said yesterday.

The committee was on a week-long visit to Walter Sisulu University, Fort Hare University and Buffalo City and King Sabata Dalindyebo technical vocational education training colleges.

They assessed the institutions’ readiness for the academic year, their handling of the new policy on free education and also engaged the institutions on plans to expand their infrastructure, especially student accommodation and teaching and learning facilities.

September said the issue of student of accommodation was a great concern.

“In Mthatha we saw a number of students who are squatting. The issue is a great concern. It leads to different problems,” she said.

The problem was rampant at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College in Mthatha.

The committee received first- hand experience of a situation where a single room accommodates three or more students due to limited student accommodation and the non-existence of access con- trols in the student residences.

WSU’s Zamukulungisa and Nelson Mandela Drive campuses have decaying student residences, lecture rooms and recreational facilities.

The student representative councils and trade unions have raised concerns about overcrowding and lack of maintenance of student residences.

September said there was a need to fix infrastructure and the Department of Higher Education also needed to assist TVET colleges with students’ registration difficulties.