Funds shortage forces arts college to cut courses

MORE than 150 students from the College of the Arts in Windhoek marched to protest the suspension of four courses because of a lack of funds to pay lecturers.

The courses which were suspended this month affect first and second-year media students. A communique issued on 9 June said the courses were suspended after the higher education ministry cut the college's budget. The head of the media studies department, Joost van de Port, said there is a shortage of lecturers for the courses, and no money to pay part-time lecturers. Van de Port added that they have not been able to fill up to eight vacancies since November 2016 because the ministry did not set aside a budget for it. Management engaged the education ministry about the problem on 3 May, but are yet to get a response.