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Uclas students boycott still on
2007-02-24 07:34:11
By David Mambo
Students at the University College of Land and Architectural Studies (UCLAS) who boycotted classes on Thursday protesting against slashed allowances for their practical studies, yesterday vowed to continue with the strike until their demands are met.
Hundreds of students pursuing different courses gathered around the college`s garden, exerting pressure on the authorities to pay their full allowances.
Speaking with The Guardian, Uclas public relations officer Alfred Mwenisongole said they were not sure when the strike would end because the students have to come to terms with the Higher Learning Students' Loan Board.
`The management had advised the students to end the strike and resume classes,` he said.
Mwanisongole declined comment further, saying that talks between the management and student leaders were going on.
`However, the college is not concerned with students' loans. I cannot say anything at the moment. The management and students are meeting to sort out the problem,` he said.
A student, Jonathan Mwinuka, said they would not end the strike until the government meets their demands.
He said the board had decided to give them 3600/- instead of 6000/- per day for meals and 3500/- for accommodation while on field.
Mwinuka said the amount they got was too small because the money was supposed to cater for everything during field work.
`We are supposed to go to Arusha for two weeks’ field work and that's the kind of money they are giving us per day. We have to foot all the expenses including meals and accommodation. This money is not enough. We want to be given the same allowance we were given previously,` he explained.
Another student, Dustan Chombo, said the students were expected to travel to upcountry regions for field work, but the mission could be impossible following a cut of allowances from 6000/- per day to 3, 500/-.
`35,000/- is not enough to enable us survive and meet other living and academic expenses during field work,` said Chombo.
`There were plans to increase allowances to 7000/- per day, but I am surprised to hear that they have slashed the money,` he added.
Students` leaders were not available for comment on the issue, as they were having a meeting with the management.
Yesterday, the students gathered at the garden, singing songs and chanting slogans in honour of the founding father of the nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, recalling the way he had handled education affairs and cared for students from poor families.
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