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State of the education sector: Week ending May 07, 2009
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)
May 11, 2009

The leadership of ZINASU met with Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai on the 6th of May 2009, to discuss issues affecting students in tertiary institutions. The issues raised at the meeting were: the need for a new constitution coming out of a people driven process, the need to urgently open the University of Zimbabwe for lectures, appalling conditions of living and learning at all institutions of higher learning in Zimbabwe, the delay in marking and releasing of examination results, unaffordable fees in institutions of higher learning, poor remuneration for teaching personnel. The Prime Minister stated that his office was aware of the matters affecting students and was working towards addressing them as soon as possible. A meeting with the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Mudenge to iron out these issues is being organized.

University of Zimbabwe

The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education announced on National Television on the 7th of May 2009 that the University of Zimbabwe

will be reopening soon as the Government had secured support from UNICEF through the Prime Ministers Office to drill boreholes at the college to address the water issue affecting the college. However the water issue is not the only issues crippling the college as the halls of residence are inhabitable and there is lack of learning material for the students among other things. The authorities announced that the college needs USD3.5 million for the college to address all issues affecting the college.

Great Zimbabwe University

College authorities at the Great Zimbabwe University on the 18th 0f April 2009 placed notices at campus announcing that students who had failed to pay tuition fees of USD105 were to defer their studies until payment. This announcement also included those that had applied for the cadetship programme from the Government. Lectures at the university were also instructed by the authorities to request receipts of payment before accepting assignments being handed in by the students. This scenario has resulted in students lagging behind with their studies as they cannot afford to pay tuition fees being charged by the University with some dropping out.

Midlands State University

Three students at the Midlands State University appeared before the displinary committee on the 5th of May 2009. Two of the three students, Osbert Masarure and Prince Ncube were facing two charges each for heading and inciting illegal demonstrations at the college and vandalism of University property worth USD720 destroyed during demonstrations. The two pleaded not guilty but were, however, suspended for three semesters (one and a half years) on the two charges plus the payment of USD720. They were also instructed not to set foot on campus as their presence is said to be inciting violence and likely to disturb the smooth running of the university. The other student Arthur Maboshe is facing two charges as well and is yet to be tried. The authorities claim "He will be served with summons next week" but he remains suspended indefinitely.

Bindura University of Science Education

Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) held an urgent senate meeting on Thursday 30th of April 2009. At the meeting it was discovered that of the total number of students (1838) that had registered last semester, 88% of the registered students wrote examinations with 12% of the students dropping out of college because of failure to pay tuition fees. 392 students managed to pay tuition fees in full, 770 students partially paid tuition fees. The fees structure for the new semester commencing on the 4th of May 2009 were also mentioned. Students in the Humanities faculty are to pay USD492 and those in the science faculty are to pay USD542. Students are required to first pay outstanding fees to register for the new semester and to get results for last semester. Students are also required to pay at least USD100 towards tuition fees and full accommodation fees. The authorities stated that the University needed USD4.5 million to function to full capacity

National University of Science Technology

The Students' Representative President, Kurayi Hoyi on the 28th of April 2009 filed a petition to the High Court contesting his suspension from the college. The case entered the courts on the 30th of April and the Court stated that there was need to deliberate on it for three days. The courts were also waiting for an affidavit from the Vice-chancellor Mr. L Ndlovu as the first defendant. The affidavit submitted stated that the University Act gave the Vice-Chancellor powers to suspend who incited violence and unrest among students pending the appearance before the displinary committee. He also wrote that Mr. Hoyi had led two demonstrations in a space of ten days, on the 6th and the 16 of April making him a nuisance to the college. The courts ruled that Mr. Kurayi will be tried and if found innocent will be permitted to write examinations. However, Examinations at the college started on the 22nd of April and will end on the 11th of May 2009.

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