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ZINASU hosts a high level policy dialogue seminar in Bulawayo
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)
May 20, 2009

A high level policy dialogue seminar was held on the 16th of May in Bulawayo, 25 civil society leaders working in the field of education attended the meeting. The seminar sought to come up with a tailor made needs based frame work for the all stake holders' conference on education to be convened by ZINASU. The seminar featured presentations from Mr. Takavafira Zhou the President of the Progressive Teachers Union (PTUZ), Sibusisiwe Ndlovu from Bulawayo Agenda, Victoria Ruzande from SAYWHAT and Masimba Nyamanhindi from Students Solidarity Trust. The participants discussed four different thematic areas and came up with the following policy framework:

1.0 Affordability of higher education

In this broad thematic framework there are three emerging schools of thought

1.1 Education has to be made affordable to all, through the ," learn now pay later scheme"

1.2 Students will have to pay for their education until the economy has recovered, then government will resume its responsibility

1.3 Education must be for free no one must pay for a fundamental right; government is obliged to provide quality education.

2.0 Health and Social welfare of students

In this broad thematic framework there are four emerging schools of thought

2.1 ZINASU should seek aid in the form of sanitary wear for students, since the majority cannot afford the expensive sanitary wear, and are employing unhygienic means that are dangerous to their health

2.2 Institutions have to solicit for funds/ humanitarian aid to equip campus clinics with medical supplies , and initiate support programs for students with HIV/ AIDS

2.3 Provision of a medical aid scheme for all students, that is funded by government

2.4 Not only must the right to education be incorporated in the Constitution but also the right to health, food and other social rights, as this will sanctify them and thrust a greater degree of respect for students social rights

3.0 Institutional autonomy and academic freedoms

In this broad thematic framework there are two emerging schools of thought

3.1 The reform of the current laws such as the National University of Science and Technology Act which place the governance of institutions in the hands of the executive. For example the chancellorship of state universities must be taken away from the sitting head of state and the powers of the Vice Chancellors must be curtailed.

3.2 Policy versus compliance -institutions do not recognize students' rights to representation in executive bodies such as the University Council

4.0 Academic personnel in tertiary institutions

In this broad thematic framework there are two emerging schools of thought

4.1 The retention of qualified lecturers who have left the service

4.2 Recruitment of qualified academic personnel and review of their conditions of service

The delegates tasked ZINASU to execute the following in preparation for the all stakeholders Conference on Education:

1. To carry out extensive research to get a clear evidential picture of the state of the education sector, for example lecturers' qualifications, number of students drop outs, the issue of grants and loans for students etc. The research document is to be distributed to General Councilors and other stakeholders before the Conference.

2. To come up with law and policy briefs, highlighting the undesirable provisions and giving a regional comparative analysis, this also has to be circulated to stakeholders through Public meetings, General Council meetings and Think tanks before the Conference.

3. To set up a Committee that constitutes strategic partners to consolidate all issues and come up with a framework to be used at the Conference

4. To lobby for the enshrining of economic and social rights, such as education and health in the new Constitution for Zimbabwe

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