UNISWA STUDENTS READY TO ‘PAY WITH BLOOD’ TO GET SCHOLARSHIPS

MATSAPHA – Students are tired of negotiating for scholarships with government and they now vow to pay for free quality tertiary education for all with their blood.

This statement was made by the University of Swaziland (UNISWA) Students Representative Council (SRC) President Sibusiso Siyaya when he addressed newcomers during their orientation which was held at the Sports Emporium Hall, in Kwaluseni Campus yesterday.
He said they had done the talking and made submissions in all relevant structures, including Sibaya but still there was no positive feedback. “It is high time we stop the talking and sacrifice with our blood to get free and quality tertiary education,” Siyaya said.

He said they wanted free and quality education in tertiary institutions because education was the only thing that would help the country to achieve sustainable development. Siyaya told the new UNISWA students to prepare themselves well for the struggle for free and quality education. “Do not allow anyone to sabotage your right to education,” he said.
He said they were admitted to the institution because they studied very hard when it was time to study and excelled in their external examinations, so it was time for government to do its part. “We will not participate in anything, including lectures until we are assured that all students are sponsored by government,” the president said.

On the issue of quality education, Siyaya said UNISWA was undersubsidised by government and that was compromising the value of the education it offered.
He said they had seen an exodus of good lecturers because of the cut in subventions. He said the question was why government was allowing such to happen and his answer was that it was because it did not have the solution but it was the students who had it. “If it calls for government to sell the ministers luxurious BMW X5s for it to be able to fully support tertiary education, let it be so,” the president said.
He said if a student knew someone who was admitted to the country’s public tertiary institution who would not be awarded a scholarship by government, they should not go to class.

It is worth noting that currently, the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) is engaged in a ‘Right to Education Campaign’. The campaign is a collective effort of students in tertiary institutions, which seeks to pressure government to ensure 100 per cent enrolment of all students admitted to institutions of higher learning.

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