A group of young people from the northern areas protested outside the Dower Campus Port Elizabeth TVET College on Monday after being refused acceptance, claiming the decision was based on their race.
College spokesperson Ntombekhaya Gwaqa said an official statement would be released on Tuesday.
The college is against racism and dismisses claims of racism with being enrolled or denied admission with the college
“The college is against racism and dismisses claims of racism with being enrolled or denied admission with the college.”
Gwaqa said the selection committee made their choices based on marks.
“[This is used] to determine which students are accepted.”
The youth, affiliated with the Patriotic Alliance, demanded answers outside the campus.
Veruschka Allison, 19, said she had applied to study human resource management last year but did not know why she was not accepted.
“I had all the necessary documents. I am sad about not getting accepted. My marks were good.”
She said a misconception that coloured people were lazy was the reason for her rejection.
“It seems that is the reason they did not accept me,” Allison said.
Michyla Carelse, 20, said she had been applying at the campus since 2018 but was never accepted.
“I felt bad when I was not accepted. I thought of all the effort I had put in, without getting replies from the campus.
“I chose to apply at this college because it is the nearest to my home,” Carelse said.
Nelson Mandela Bay Patriotic Alliance Youth League spokesperson Chad Kramer had a meeting with acting principal Jessy Figg.
According to Kramer, Figg told him the number of students accepted this year had been reduced due to Covid-19.
“We instructed them to put their policy on their website so potential students can educate themselves.”
HeraldLIVE
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