THE PROBLEMS in the DIT's administration do not appear to be improving at any great rate, if the experience of some of its apprentice students is anything to go by.

Around 120 students are currently engaged in an 11-week block-release programme on electrical installation in DIT Kevin Street to prepare for external exams monitored by the Department of Education.

Unfortunately, their efforts to prepare for their examinations has been undermined somewhat by the college's failure to supply their student ID cards, even after seven weeks of their programme had elapsed.

The lack of any ID card means that they have been unable to use the college library or to borrow books, both of which are a fairly essential part of exam preparation.

Added to that is the fact that the students are paying external examination fees of £100, while apparently being unable to study effectively for those same exams.

Last week, despairing staff members in the college protested strongly to the powers-that-be in the DIT in an effort to have the situation resolved. Identity cards have now, apparently, been promised to the increasingly desperate students.

No one in the DIT was available for comment on the subject last week.