Allegations of ‘indefinite closure’ of Ann Latsky Nursing College not true – Gauteng Health Department
The Gauteng Department of Health categorically rejects reports alleging an ‘indefinite closure’ of the Ann Latsky Nursing College in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.
“In fact, the opposite is true. As per the academic year plans, Gauteng nursing colleges, namely; Chris Hani Baragwanath, SG Lourens, Ga-Rankuwa, Bonalesedi and Rahima Moosa Nursing colleges opened on 7 January 2019. Classes such as Primary Health Care and one year Midwifery took place and even students who are doing bridging courses also attended their classes,” explained Head of Department (HoD), Professor Mkhululi Lukhele.
“While the student protest which took place at the Ann Latsky Nursing College late last year had affected the college’s operations negatively, the truth of the matter is that the college is functioning in 2019 and teaching and learning is, in fact, taking place”, said Prof Lukhele.
Furthermore, last year’s protest action had not affected the 2019 intake at all as all the students who were supposed to commence their 2019 studies are doing their courses at the Bonalesedi College of Nursing and SG Lourens College, respectively.
The HoD added that the Department had, on several occasions, tried to resolve the issues at the Ann Latsky College by providing another date for re-examination, which included going through a remediation process.
It must be noted that examination rules cannot be changed and we cannot, as some of the students are demanding, apply a ‘pass-one; pass-all’ approach – that will be going against the rules”, Prof Lukhele stated.
The Department will be taking all the necessary steps of allowing students fair chance to proceed to the next level. These include supplementary examination and appeals should there be students that are aggrieved.
“Even in the current year, as the Department is engaging in ways and means of resolving the issue at hand, several students have expressed their wish to write their outstanding examination paper. We are committing to honour the request following the rules and regulations set by Senate and College Council as outlined in examination rules. These rules include remediation classes and awarding of study days so that students are not disadvantaged”, added the HOD said.
Some of the Ann Latsky students are doing their experiential training at Gauteng hospitals in line with the normal course where some of the students would, at this time of the year would be in the hospitals doing clinical experiential learning. The students need to complete experiential learning hours in order to pass examinations.
This is also in line with the South African Nursing Council rules which set out the requirements for the student’s eligibility to proceed to the next level of training and eventually being registered as Professional Nurses.
The South African Nursing Council does not set examination for Regulation 425 to which this group of students belong and same applies nationally to all nursing colleges but for this group of student but South African Nursing Council facilitates registration.
It has also came to the attention of the department that some students are allegedly intimidating others and this is a cause for concern for us. We commit to investigate the claims thoroughly.
Despite these challenges, as a province, Gauteng remained the leader in investing in the future of nursing in South Africa.
“We are currently the province that invests the most in nursing, spending no less than R140-million in bursaries for 1 310 student nurses. Of those, 135 are at first-year level; 536 at second-year level and 612 at third-year level and the department would continue to seek amicable ways of engaging all stakeholders to ensure that our colleges operate optimally. As a Department, we are committed to the development of nursing in the province,” concluded Prof Lukhele.
Enquiries:
Lesemang Matuka
Cell: 072 025 3505
E-mail: mediaenquiries@gauteng.gov.za
