Frustrated students went on the rampage at College of Cape Town’s Crawford campus for a second day in a row yesterday.
The students rioted after learning that their three-year course, costing more than R10 000 per year, is not recognised.
Security guards dressed in riot gear barred students from entering the campus yesterday.
On Monday, students studying the Primary Health Care course threw stones, vandalised windows, burnt dustbins and set some parts of the nursing building alight.
It is believed the students had to write exams this week, but refused as they saw no use in completing the course which is not registered with the South African Nursing Council.
Enraged students who are paying R10 540 fees a year say they have wasted their time.
Students Representative Council Deputy President Khayalethu Kama said they had met with the SA Nursing Council who confirmed that the course was not accredited.
Kama told the Cape Times:“The students are doing the course that they could become professional nurses and social workers. But PHC students who graduated last year are still unemployed.”
Spokesperson for the college, Sharon Grobbelaar, admitted while the course is not accredited with the SA Nursing Council, it was recognised by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
She says: “Students are currently protesting about the fact that the qualification is not registered with the SA Nursing Council, and this offers a variety of challenges to them continuing their studies in the nursing field at university level, or being employed after completing the qualification at NQF Level 4.
“The matter is a national concern, which is currently being addressed by the DHET.”