Windhoek VTC hostel 'not up to standard', students say
Calls for complete renovation of hostel
Students at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre are dissatisfied with the state of the hostel.
Students at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre (WVTC) have expressed dissatisfaction and frustration with the state of their hostel accommodation, citing various issues that have persisted despite recent changes aimed at improving living conditions.
The hostel accommodation includes water and electricity, two bedrooms, a shared kitchen, and a bathroom equipped with essential amenities such as beds, mattresses, student chairs, a study table, a two-plate stove, a fridge and geysers for hot water at a rental cost of N$1 200.
Despite a new arrangement reducing the number of students per unit from four to three, many students say this has not alleviated the feeling of confinement, and they feel their complaints are not being adequately addressed by management.
In a telephonic interview with this publication, students speaking under anonymity, due to fear of victimisation, described the situation as one of neglect.
"The rooms are not up to standard. We are three students in a room, and we share a stove that only has one working plate. We have been up and down with it for repairs at the electrical workshop, but after two days, it goes back to only having one functioning plate," a group of students said.
The students further highlighted the condition of bathrooms, indicating that showers spray water in all directions and a broken toilet seat has remained unrepaired for years.
"Management knows that the rooms are not up to standard, which is why they do not allow visitors from outside," the students claimed.
Renovation
Another student who shared similar sentiments called for a complete renovation of the hostel.
"Personally, they should renovate the entire hostel, clean everything up, and implement pest control because this place is really not in a good stage to accommodate people," he said.
Another student pointed out the inadequate Wi-Fi coverage at the hostel.
"The hostel has its own Wi-Fi router, but it does not cover the entire area. So, one is forced to go stand outside," he said.
Management responds
In response to questions sent by this publication regarding student complaints about hostel conditions, the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre (WVTC) management said hostel accommodation is not the core function or purpose of the institution.
However, the institution does offer limited accommodation, with 40 units available at highly subsidised rates for trainees who cannot find or afford private accommodation.
Furthermore, the management claimed that while a maintenance plan is in place, they face challenges due to high levels of alleged vandalism and negligence by trainees, which increase repair and replacement costs. "As a state-funded institution, we do not always have the resources available for immediate repairs," management said.
WVTC also acknowledged issues with Wi-Fi coverage, stating that while Wi-Fi is provided on campus, coverage is limited in some areas. They encouraged students to access better coverage in other parts of the campus or arrange their own Wi-Fi services.
The hostel accommodation includes water and electricity, two bedrooms, a shared kitchen, and a bathroom equipped with essential amenities such as beds, mattresses, student chairs, a study table, a two-plate stove, a fridge and geysers for hot water at a rental cost of N$1 200.
Despite a new arrangement reducing the number of students per unit from four to three, many students say this has not alleviated the feeling of confinement, and they feel their complaints are not being adequately addressed by management.
In a telephonic interview with this publication, students speaking under anonymity, due to fear of victimisation, described the situation as one of neglect.
"The rooms are not up to standard. We are three students in a room, and we share a stove that only has one working plate. We have been up and down with it for repairs at the electrical workshop, but after two days, it goes back to only having one functioning plate," a group of students said.
The students further highlighted the condition of bathrooms, indicating that showers spray water in all directions and a broken toilet seat has remained unrepaired for years.
"Management knows that the rooms are not up to standard, which is why they do not allow visitors from outside," the students claimed.
Renovation
Another student who shared similar sentiments called for a complete renovation of the hostel.
"Personally, they should renovate the entire hostel, clean everything up, and implement pest control because this place is really not in a good stage to accommodate people," he said.
Another student pointed out the inadequate Wi-Fi coverage at the hostel.
"The hostel has its own Wi-Fi router, but it does not cover the entire area. So, one is forced to go stand outside," he said.
Management responds
In response to questions sent by this publication regarding student complaints about hostel conditions, the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre (WVTC) management said hostel accommodation is not the core function or purpose of the institution.
However, the institution does offer limited accommodation, with 40 units available at highly subsidised rates for trainees who cannot find or afford private accommodation.
Furthermore, the management claimed that while a maintenance plan is in place, they face challenges due to high levels of alleged vandalism and negligence by trainees, which increase repair and replacement costs. "As a state-funded institution, we do not always have the resources available for immediate repairs," management said.
WVTC also acknowledged issues with Wi-Fi coverage, stating that while Wi-Fi is provided on campus, coverage is limited in some areas. They encouraged students to access better coverage in other parts of the campus or arrange their own Wi-Fi services.
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