Limkokwing students return to class

Students took this resolution during a press conference convened by La-bour and Social Security Minister, Lutfo Dlamini.

The students were represented by the university’s Students Representative Council led by Kevin Dla-mini. Representing the institution’s administration were Manager Zacha-riah Mthethwa, Registrar Zakhe Mabuza and the Students Services Officer Welile Dlamini.

"We are going to respect the interim court ruling and continue with the re-registration process," said the SRC President Kevin.

The minister announced the interim court ruling during the press conference. He said the court had issued an interim order informing students of the re-registration extension period to Monday.

Students had taken government to court over the introduction of the re-registration. The re-registration period deadline was yesterday.

Minister Lutfo had convened a press conference to look into the contentious issues continuously propelling students to embark on the strike action. Two major issues were discussed during the press conference.

These were the; book allowance (educational aids) and rules of engagement between the SRC and the institutions’ management. Under the book allowance students submitted that they would appreciate to get them individually.

They said this arrangement would usher in what they termed flexibility in how the money is being utilised. They argued that the allowance’s usage is fixed on books yet if given to them they can manage to utilise it on buying other educational aids like laptops, pens, cameras etc.

Under the rules of engagement the students submitted that there is no professional relationship between them and the institution’s management. They argued that management does not respect and appreciate the role of the SRC.

In response the institution’s management submitted that issues of accreditation and protocol prohibit the university to incorporate the ‘flexible’ link in the book allowance.

"In as much as we appreciate the logic behind the incorporation of the flexible link in the book allowance, we can’t incorporate it. There is a reference protocol which guides us to promote the culture of books in as much as we are a technology oriented institution," said the institutions Registrar, Zakhe Mabuza.

Mabuza also summed up the issue of the rules of engagement to five different aspects which she said the students show when trying to address their concerns with the institutions management.

She said the students are; refusing to be led, have entitlement mentality and the SRC inaccurately reports back to the students on any communication it has with management.

The minister urged students to respect the interim court ruling. He also asked students to avail themselves to what he called a week long reconciliation process. He said the process will start on Tuesday at government’s offices situated at the Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT).

"In this reconciliatory meeting we will discuss and try to find a lasting solution to a number of your problems. I’m still going to find a neutral party who will advise me on a way forward concerning the institution’s problems," said Dlamini.

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