Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) has barred students with no pocket Wi-Fi from its premises.
A letter seen by The Namibian, dated 3 August and addressed to parents of the pre-entry to tertiary education programme (Pete), states that the institution at Otjiwarongo has been instructed to sell pocket Wi-Fi devices to Pete students, as they are compulsory for this category of students.
Namcol’s regional manager for the Otjozondjupa region, Dina Haufiku, in the letter says the students have been given multiple extensions until the end of July to purchase these devices.
Students have until 08h00 on 8 August to buy the pocket Wi-Fi devices, the letter says.
The devices cost N$690 each.
“Pupils who are unable to pay will have their access to the school restricted. In addition, they may miss the standardised test series from 15 to 19 August in preparation of the national examinations.
“Please be aware that others have already purchased the device, and the pupils have already received this device,” the letter reads. It is not clear how many students are affected.
Namcol’s marketing and information officer, Freddy Kaukungua, yesterday did not respond to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, Students Union of Namibia (SUN) president Bernard Kavau has called on Namcol to take back those students who were sent home for not having pocket Wi-Fi devices.
He says if Namcol does not take the students back the union would be left with no other option but to open a case against the institution.
“We are fully aware of needy students who have no money to buy those pocket Wi-Fi devices, also we have students with no laptops and cellphones, so even if they get pocket Wi-Fi it would be useless to them.
“We have students with no electricity at home,” Kavau says.
He says Namcol is contravening the Namibian Constitution in terms of access to education, and demanded the institution reinstate the affected students with immediate effect.
This comes after the parent of a Namcol student sent a letter to the institution, complaining about his children being denied access to an education because they do not have pocket Wi-Fi devices.
The parent said there are students who are already in possession of pocket Wi-Fi devices, but are forced to buy another one from the Pete programme before they write their final examination.
“These kids were informed at very short notice, and not every parent can afford the amount given – especially considering the time interval given,” the parent wrote.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
