By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu
MASAKA
Student leaders in greater Masaka under their umbrella association Uganda National Association of students Nurses and Mid- wives, UNASNM have expressed their grievances on how their respective nursing institutions are managing students affairs.
The association president greater Masaka region Atukwasa Andrew Ente Ekamwa a student of Masaka School of Comprehensive Nursing says he has on various occasions received complaints and issues from different students from different nursing institutions in his office which must be addressed by relevant stake holders.
Andrew says as the government look into making sciences a priority ,students pursuing science related courses must be supported to encourage those who have the same dream. While speaking to journalists ,Atukwasa revealed that among other complaints which must be addressed include failure of the concerned bodies like UNMEB, Nursing Council and Ministry of Education and Sports to regulate nursing schools especially tuition paid by the students in government.
He said students on the government sponsorships are have always wondered why they pay higher tuition worth 1.4 million shillings or even above for the continuing students a concern that has been neglected by the schools.
He also adds that these bodies have failed to regulate the surcharges that are always imposed on students for the late registration, He adds that most schools use the chance to over charge the students usually ranging from 230,000 to 280,000 Ugandan shillings.
Amanya Godfrey, the UNASNM member ,a nursing students leader from Lyantonde school of Nursing says they have tried to address these issues to their respective administrators for some time but they have not seen any action as the situation keeps on pushing students and guardians to the wall.
Amanya said as students leaders they are also not happy with the new policy that was introduced by UNMEB where assessment marked out of 40% is done at school and final exams marked out of 60% at UNMEB. He said this has given a chance to the school administrators and tutors to take advantage to sexually harass students, impose charges through retakes among others.
