I-Care institute punishes student for missing oath
Qualified but facing unemployment
Although Efraim Iiyambo Mwashekele successfully completed his nursing course, his certificate is being withheld because of his failure to attend a graduation ceremony because of illness.
A student from I-Care Health Training Institute Namibia at the Swakopmund campus in the Erongo Region who passed his course but missed graduation due to illness claims the institution is withholding his certificate for failure to attend the oath-taking ceremony earlier this year.
Efraim Iiyambo Mwashekele (26) completed a two-year course in enrolled nursing and midwifery but suffered a setback after the institution where he studied allegedly refused to issue his certificate of completion due to a 'verbal policy'.
Mwashekele is part of a group of students who were set to graduate in July this year, but due to failing to attend, the institution has refused to issue his certificate of completion.
Oath a must
Messages from the school's WhatsApp group, seen by Namibian Sun, indicate it is compulsory for students to attend graduation and to take an oath.
"Please take note that it is compulsory for you to take an oath and graduate, otherwise, you will not receive your certificate and can be de-registered by council, which means you will be stopped from practicing as a nurse," reads one such message.
The dean of students at the institution, Olayemi Olafusi, confirmed to Namibian Sun that it is their policy for graduates to take an oath before receiving their qualification.
Facing unemployment
Documents provided to this publication show that Mwashekele does not owe the institution any money in tuition fees.
Leonard Frans, Mwashekele’s brother who assisted with tuition fees, told Namibian Sun he did see the messages, but "I didn’t think much of it because I thought that he was going to attend it."
Mwashekele travelled to Windhoek in hopes of receiving his certificate but was told that he wouldn’t receive it as he didn’t attend the graduation due to falling ill.
Concerned, his brother decided to also approach the same staff member who attended to Mwashekele but left with nothing due to the stated reasons given by the institution.
Verbal policy
Frans, after approaching the institution, claims that when he asked to see the policy, he was told that it’s not on paper but a 'verbal policy’.
He claimed he was informed that all students were notified about this policy at their orientation day.
Mwashekele has a nursing licence and a certificate from the Nursing Council of Namibia but is now forced to sit at home and do nothing as he can’t apply for a job without proof that he completed his course.
"If it was a case of my brother owing the institution, then I would've made sense. What if something happens again and he cannot attend the next graduation? What then?" Frans noted.
"It’s like they are motivating unemployment; it’s very unfair for us as parents who pay money; it’s as if we throw our money in the water," Frans stressed.
The only way Mwashekele can receive his certificate is if he attends his next graduation in July 2024. His family fears that another eventuality may occur around that time next year, further delaying his attainment of the qualification.
Efraim Iiyambo Mwashekele (26) completed a two-year course in enrolled nursing and midwifery but suffered a setback after the institution where he studied allegedly refused to issue his certificate of completion due to a 'verbal policy'.
Mwashekele is part of a group of students who were set to graduate in July this year, but due to failing to attend, the institution has refused to issue his certificate of completion.
Oath a must
Messages from the school's WhatsApp group, seen by Namibian Sun, indicate it is compulsory for students to attend graduation and to take an oath.
"Please take note that it is compulsory for you to take an oath and graduate, otherwise, you will not receive your certificate and can be de-registered by council, which means you will be stopped from practicing as a nurse," reads one such message.
The dean of students at the institution, Olayemi Olafusi, confirmed to Namibian Sun that it is their policy for graduates to take an oath before receiving their qualification.
Facing unemployment
Documents provided to this publication show that Mwashekele does not owe the institution any money in tuition fees.
Leonard Frans, Mwashekele’s brother who assisted with tuition fees, told Namibian Sun he did see the messages, but "I didn’t think much of it because I thought that he was going to attend it."
Mwashekele travelled to Windhoek in hopes of receiving his certificate but was told that he wouldn’t receive it as he didn’t attend the graduation due to falling ill.
Concerned, his brother decided to also approach the same staff member who attended to Mwashekele but left with nothing due to the stated reasons given by the institution.
Verbal policy
Frans, after approaching the institution, claims that when he asked to see the policy, he was told that it’s not on paper but a 'verbal policy’.
He claimed he was informed that all students were notified about this policy at their orientation day.
Mwashekele has a nursing licence and a certificate from the Nursing Council of Namibia but is now forced to sit at home and do nothing as he can’t apply for a job without proof that he completed his course.
"If it was a case of my brother owing the institution, then I would've made sense. What if something happens again and he cannot attend the next graduation? What then?" Frans noted.
"It’s like they are motivating unemployment; it’s very unfair for us as parents who pay money; it’s as if we throw our money in the water," Frans stressed.
The only way Mwashekele can receive his certificate is if he attends his next graduation in July 2024. His family fears that another eventuality may occur around that time next year, further delaying his attainment of the qualification.
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