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The Student Christian Movement of Zimbabwe (SCMZ) joins the world in observing the 17th of November as the International Students Day. The day originated when the Czechoslovakian students fell victim to the Nazis. On 17 November 1939 the Nazis stormed the dormitories of the University in Prague. More than 1200 students were send to concentration camps, 9 student representatives were executed on the spot, the university was shut down and the buildings were used by the German occupation forces.

Since then 17 November has marked important student events all over the world. The 1973 and 1989 student uprisings in Greece and Czechoslovakia, respectively, among others are notable events. All these events are still inspiring students all over the world in their quest for a truly democratic education system and a democratic society. The International Students Day has become a symbol for the struggle of students all over the world.

In Zimbabwe the day is particularly significant as the student community mourns the crumbling of academic rights and freedoms. The nation's governance crisis has hit the education system the most. Tertiary education has become a preserve for the elite since most students can not afford the prohibitive tuition fees, accommodation and transport costs. The forced eviction of all students (except foreigners) from halls of residence at the University of Zimbabwe, the continuous victimisation of student activists in tertiary institutions across the country, the affront to students' freedoms of assembly, association and movement are all grave concerns for the nation. The appalling conditions of the Zimbabwean education system can be equalled to the concentration camps were 1200 students were sent by the Nazis.

The students of Zimbabwe should unite in full force and demand a robust education system accessible to all. This is the time for students to fight tooth, claw and nail as they like their counterparts in 1989 Czechoslovakia work towards a velvet revolution. A government that does not respect its intellectuals is doomed to crumple. The writing is on the wall. The right to an effective education system underpins our demand for good governance in Zimbabwe and God is on our side. To this end SCMZ is carrying programmes to encourage participation of young Christians in Civic issues in Zimbabwe. Key to the programmes is advocating for education as a fundamental right.

It takes great wickedness for those in power to be prepared to sacrifice a whole generation, the youth of the nation, in order to maintain their own hold on power.

Every student whose future is thus threatened every parent, every grand-parent, every brother and sister - indeed every responsible citizen with a care for the well-being of the nation - should stand, shoulder-to-shoulder, and say no to this mercy.

'"Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the Lord' Jeremiah 23:1

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