Pretoria – After a month-long boycott of clinical practicals and learning activities, the North West Department of Health has taken a decision to close the Mmabatho Nursing College indefinitely.
The boycott started on 8 May, when students refused to be transported to their clinical facilities, citing late arrival to clinical facilities due to transport constraints and congestion of learners at facilities.
According to the department, nursing students at the college are demanding that the provincial department stops transporting them to clinical facilities and accommodating them. Instead, they want to be provided with transport and accommodation allowance in addressing their challenges.
The department explained that it provides transport to clinical facilities and when there is a need, transport is outsourced to alleviate shortage.
“Students are, however, expected to adhere to stipulated departure times, which is a challenge to drivers as students do not adhere. On alleged congestion at facilities, students are placed on both night and day duty and this arrangement was not honoured by some students.
“Most of them only chose to be placed during the day, hence the congestion. The department is of the view that they should also rotate on night placement because even when they graduate to be nurses, they will be expected to work at night,” the department explained.
The department further noted that the students refused management interventions and demanded accommodation and transport allowance instead, with the view that they can transport themselves to various clinical facilities.
“With the accommodation allowance, students want to rent their own accommodation. Despite all efforts to intervene by management, the students continued with their clinical boycott to date.
“The department accepts that the infrastructure needs a facelift. To this effect, the National Department of Health is currently in the process of revitalising the college infrastructure. The maintenance plan has been submitted.”
It is reported that students had started vandalising college property, intimidating admin staff, and closing employees inside the college. On Wednesday, college staff had to leave under police guard as students had become violent.
The department reiterated its commitment to resolve any legitimate grievance the students have. – SAnews.gov.za
