VETCo students demonstrate over welfare issues

By Rosemary Wayo

Pong Tamale (N/R), Oct 24, GNA – Students of Pong Tamale Vertinary College (VETCo) have staged a demonstration to register their displeasure over persisting challenges and poor welfare at the school. 

Among the challenges they listed were congested classrooms and dormitories, inadequate water supply, security issues, low quality, and insufficient quantity of food. 

The students, during the demonstration, presented a petition to the Principal of the College giving the College a 72-hour ultimatum to respond. 

Abande Jacob, President of Student Representative Council of VETCo, speaking to the Ghana News Agency following the demonstration on Monday, said the student leadership was fed up prompting authorities about things they should provide to create enabling learning environment for students. 

He said despite students paying for prerequisite services and needs, they lacked the very things they paid for. 

He noted that a dining hall that should accommodate about 300 students was being used by over 1000 students, adding hostels were congested because the school admitted more students than it could accommodate. 

Mr Jacob said: “It was a peaceful demonstration. We gave the authorities 72 hours to respond and if they do not, we will carry out our next action.” 

Ms Ivian Sambing, the SRC Women’s Commissioner said: “We are congested in one hostel as ladies. aside from that, we walk long distances to nearby communities to draw water.” 

She mentioned that students paid for the hostel facility mandatorily but the majority of them were compelled to rent outside the campus due to inadequate space. 

She described the security situation in the school as poor, noting that thieves broke into the girl’s dormitory often, making them vulnerable. 

Jacob Dapila, a second year Diploma student of Animal Health and Production, expressed discontentment with food served them, saying “Food given us does not correlate with the fees we pay.” 

He emphasised that students paid GH¢950 as fees per semester but were served foods that were of low quality in small portions that did not suffice them. 

GNA