By The News Booth Desk
Email: info.newsbooth@gmail.com
Students of the Godoma Technical Training Institute in Ganze Subcounty staged a peaceful demonstration on November 14, 2024, demanding changes in the institution's management. The protestors, consisting of a significant number of students, disrupted normal learning activities as they took to the Kilifi-Matanomane Road. There, they lit bonfires and chanted slogans expressing their dissatisfaction with the current administration of the institute.
The students' grievances centered on several issues, primarily the exorbitant fees they are required to pay. According to Pauline Mnyazi, a student from the electrical department, the management board of governors had increased fees without any corresponding improvement in services. She highlighted that the institute was charging Sh13,000 for examination fees, a sharp increase from the prescribed Sh7,000. Mnyazi also pointed out the lack of a student council, despite students being charged fees for its existence, and noted that the institute was severely lacking in basic training tools necessary for their education.
Another student, Joel Masai, voiced concerns over the poor quality of food provided and the deplorable living conditions in the boarding section. He lamented that although students sit for national examinations, the institute fails to conduct graduation ceremonies, unlike other institutions of similar standing. This, he argued, diminishes the students' morale and undermines the value of their educational achievements.
Parents have also joined the chorus of dissatisfaction. Daniel Mwangome, a concerned parent, expressed frustration over the lack of practical work for which they pay fees. He stated that despite paying for practical sessions, students are not receiving the hands-on training they need. Furthermore, Mwangome highlighted a community grievance, noting that local residents are not being awarded tenders by the institute, despite its location within their community.
The demonstration reflects a broader discontent with the management practices at Godoma Technical Training Institute, which students and parents alike feel are not in alignment with the educational and community standards expected. The protestors are calling for immediate intervention to address these issues, hoping for a restructuring of the management to ensure transparency, accountability, and improved conditions for both students and staff. The peaceful protest underscores the urgent need for dialogue between the institute's administration and its stakeholders to resolve the ongoing issues and restore normalcy to the institution.
