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Statement on the opening of the Second Session of the 7th Parliament
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) and the Zimbabwe High Schools Students Union (ZIHISSU)
October 06, 2009

The President of Zimbabwe Mr. R.G. Mugabe today officially opened the 7th Parliament of Zimbabwe where he tabled a variety of issues affecting the country. ZINASU is concerned with the introduction of the Zimbabwe Qualifications Authority which is meant to standardize Higher Education Qualifications in line with the SADC guidelines.

The Southern African Development Community introduced an initiative to standardize education qualifications in all countries in Southern Africa. The Union is disturbed that the major stakeholders in education, that is, the students were never consulted about the content of the Bill which Dr. S. Mudenge said will be tabled in Parliament in due course. The responsible Ministry of Higher Education is expected to make consultations with various stakeholders involved before the bill is tabled before Parliament. ZINASU has requested a copy of this bill and will produce a critique that will be sent to the Minister of Higher Education and the Portfolio committee on education.

The Union is further concerned that the President skirt on the major issues affecting students in tertiary institutions of unaffordability of education and deteriorating learning conditions which has forced many students to drop out of college. The Government should treat the challenges in the education sector as a matter of urgency before the sector halts on its knees.

Hillside Teachers College

The Principal of Hillside Teachers College, Mr. E.S Dube announced on the 5th of October 2009 that, only students who paid their examination fees of USD120 in full will be allowed to sit for examinations. Examinations are starting on Friday, 9 October and currently only fifty (50) students out of a total of seven hundred (700) students have managed to pay fees in full. Although funds for the cadetship scheme have been made available, the Principal announced that only the first year students would benefit from the scheme this term leaving the rest of the students to benefit starting next term. The Student Representative Council (SRC) members led by the President, Mr.Robsen Chere approached the college authorities today to negotiate for flexible payment terms but the Principal adamantly refused to meet the team. The College Authorities are going against a directive from the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr. Stan Mudenge who announced that no student should be turned away or barred from attending lectures or sitting for examinations. ZINASU has sought audience with the Minister of Higher Education in order to help the students at Hillside Teachers College.

Mutare Polytechnic College

Lecturers at Mutare Polytechnic College have started charging students between USD2-USD5 for every assignment handed in. Students failing to pay are having their assignments turned down with the lecturers announcing that they were yet to receive competitive remuneration packages from the Government and this was the only way to subsidize their meager salaries. The SRC President accompanied by other SRC members managed to meet with the Principal, Mr. Isaac Gumiro yesterday and outlined the problem.

The Principal then met with the lecturers today to address the issue but no meaningful solution came out. The lecturers stated that until they were offered competitive remuneration packages they would continue charging students. This move by the lectures has increased the financial burden on the students as they are currently struggling to pay tuition fees at the college and 35% of the students have failed to hand in their assignments.

Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)

Candidates vying for posts in the Student Representative Council today presented their manifestos to the students at a Star Rally at the college. The 36 candidates vying for various posts in the SRC were presented with an opportunity to address the students for the last time before the election scheduled for 8th of October 2009. College authorities in charge of the election also attended the Rally to ensure that all the procedures are done according to the rules. Preparations for the elections are at an advanced stage with the college authorities fully supporting the students. ZINASU wishes the candidates all the best.

ZINASU Website

ZINASU would like to apologize to all the students and partners for the unavailability of our website. The website is currently being upgraded and will be available in due course. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused. ZINASU would like to ensure that its website is an information highway and a one stop shop for critical issues affecting students.

Visit the ZINASU fact sheet

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