The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the Northern Cape is appalled to learn through the media about the terrible living conditions that some of the students of the Northern Cape urban FET are allegedly subjected to. It is our firm belief that such allegations need to be urgently investigated and action to be taken on those found guilty of subjecting students to such pathetic living conditions.

Education is one of the basic priorities of our ANC government and should be treated as such. It is common cause that a conducive environment for delivery of education starts with the living conditions of the students. We therefore demand nothing less than comfort for the students of the FET College and any other institutions of learning in the Northern Cape.

We will soon arrange a meeting with the CEO as well as Mr Letsholo who is allegedly responsible for subjecting students to such conditions in order to establish the facts behind the whole crisis. If there are any indications of corruption in the procurement process, we will call for an urgent action.

It is also not appropriate for the students to be starved as they pursue studies for a better future; therefore the college has a responsibility to a sure that they are well fed. When those students were recruited, taken away from the comfort of their homes, they accepted admission with an understanding that they are going to be provided alternative homes conducive for them to study.

We will engage with the ANC Youth League to organise a meeting with the students in that college as a matter of urgency to ensure that the challenges of the students are resolved.