Hundreds queue at city college

IN PURSUIT of a brighter future, hundreds of prospective students from across the Northern Cape joined the long queues that formed in front of the Northern Cape Urban TVET College in Kimberley yesterday.

Students started queueing outside the city campus before the gates opened in order to register for their chosen courses.

One student, Boitshepo Motingwe, said that she arrived at around 5am yesterday morning because she was concerned about the outcome of her application.

“I applied to study Diesel Mechanics N2 last year already. I was told that we would be informed about the outcome of our applications. However, I heard nothing from the college about my application.

“Some of the students received an SMS stating that they had been accepted and informing them when they should register.

“I arrived early so that I could be one of the first people in the line because I knew the queues would be long. There are many students who are applying for the first time.

“What is unfair is that I have done my part but I am being treated as though I am a first-time applicant,” said a frustrated Motingwe.

She added that she had been told to wait after she enquired about the matter.

“I went inside to the help desk and explained my situation. I was informed that the reason I did not receive an SMS might have been because my application had been rejected. If this was the case, why was this not communicated to me?

“Also, judging from my results, it is just not possible that my application would have been declined,” LINING UP: Hundreds of students from around the Province gathered at the Northern Cape Urban TVET College in Kimberley yesterday. Picture: Danie van der Lith said Motingwe.

A prospective student from Kuruman said that she had also made her way to the college early to see what her chances of being accepted were.

“I did not register last year. I came to apply because I know that TVET colleges allow walk-in applications. I did not know that the system had changed. I am now not sure what my chances are, especially as there are so many of us,” she said.

Another first-time applicant said that she was under the impression that the application process would be quick.

“I arrived at 6.30am and we waited until after 8am for the gates to open. We were separated into two groups, those who were applying for business studies and those wanting to study engineering. The queue for the business studies went faster than that for engineering. We were later informed that those students who had received an SMS would be assisted first. I will be patient as I have to see what my chances are of being accepted,” she said.

The academic manager of the college, Elizabeth Musi, said yesterday that they had not experienced any hiccups with the registration process and that the long lines were not unusual.

“The registration process is going smoothly. We have thus far registered just less than 100 students who had already applied for admission last year. We were vigorous with our applications last year, which enabled us to deal efficiently with the influx of students who usually flood to the campus. The line was not that long as we usually see the queue stretching past the Northern Cape High Court,” said Musi.

She indicated that those who had previously applied and had not received any feedback should not be alarmed.

“The reason why students might not have received feedback regarding their applications could be because they did not include their cellphone number on their application forms. We had many applications where only a landline number was included.

“We have the applications of those students on record and they only need to head to the campus to find out about the status of their applications.”

Musi added that there was still an opportunity for prospective students to apply.

“We will continue with the registration of students this week and next week as we are still awaiting results from some applicants. Even the student financial support services has extended its applications deadline until January 29.

“By next week we will have an indication of what space is still available for students who still want to apply after all accepted students have registered. Preference will be given to students who already applied last year,” said Musi.