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Education watch: Week ending May 22, 2009
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)
May 27, 2009

General Comment

ZINASU hosted a students' consultative meeting in Gweru on the 20th of May 2009 at the Midlands Hotel. The delegation led by the Secretary General for ZINASU, Lovemore Chinoputsa conducted college visits before holding the meeting. They visited Gweru Polytechnic College and Mkoba Teachers College where they managed to discuss with the students, lecturers and the administration on the challenges they are facing in their respective institutions. The students stated that due to the exorbitant fees being charged by authorities in institutions, some of their colleagues were dropping out of college. Lecturers remain discontent over poor remuneration packages and unavailability of teaching materials. The Mkoba Teachers College clinic has no medical supplies; students have to travel to town to receive medical treatment. The administration at Mkoba flagged inadequate funds as the major problem crippling the operations of the institution.

Bulawayo

National University of Science and Technology

The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) opened on Monday the 18th of May 2009. The authorities at the college requested students to pay their remaining fees balance from last semester and a minimum of USD200 before registering for the new semester. The tuition fees are ranging between USD375-475. The majority of the returning students are yet to register as they are still struggling to pay last semesters' balance.

Hillside Teachers College

Students at Hillside Teachers College boycotted lectures on the 15th of May 2009 protesting against high tuition fees of USD710 per term. The students, led by their President Robsen Chere staged a demonstration and marched to the administration block to hand in a petition to the Principal, Mr. E.S Dube. The petition highlighted issues that needed urgent attention by the authorities. Students vowed to continue with their boycotts until the authorities addressed their grievances. Eight (8) students were arrested on the 15th of May for inciting violence; they were detained at Bulawayo Central Police Station and released the same day. The eight students were Robsen Chere Student Representative Council (SRC) President, Kurai Hoyi SRC President of NUST, Sheunesu Nyoni, Vivid Gwede, Bright Chisi, Admire Hamutyi, Innocent Munyoro and Archford Mudzengi.

Gweru

Midlands State University

Students at the Midlands State University completed their end of semester examinations and closed on the 15th of May 2009. 85% of the students managed to sit for their examinations on the condition that those that had made partial payment would receive their results after full payment of their tuition fees. Final year students will return to college mid-June to compensate for lost time and catch up with their curriculum.

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