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The ZINASU NEC members to descend on UZ
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) (Chinyere)
April 15, 2010

After threats by College Authorities to bar students from writing examinations over nonpayment of tuition fees.

The Zimbabwe National Students Union led by the Vice President, Georgina Sango will descend on the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) today, 15 April 2010 to ascertain the situation following information circulating on campus that students who have not paid their tuition fees in full will not be allowed to write their end of semester examinations which are starting on 19 April 2010.

Tuition fees at the largest and oldest institution are ranging from an astronomical USD300 - USD800 respectively and the majority of students cannot afford to pay the steep fees. Last semester, the Registrar General, Mr Chevo circulated the same information warning students who had not cleared their arrears that they would not be allowed to write their examinations without producing proof of paying tuition fees, a move that was reversed after the intervention of the ZINASU President Joshua Chinyere.

The National Executive Council will meet with the Vice Chancellor, Levy Nyagura today to try and force him to reverse the crude decision, failure of which will result in a massive demonstration by the students starting on Monday. UZ students have vowed to boycott the examinations in solidarity with the other students who consist of the majority (75%) if the decision is not reversed.

Only 7% of the total number of students at the college benefited from the Government cadetship scheme whose process was shrouded in secrecy as the College authorities did not want many students to apply for the scheme arguing that the Government was not processing the funds quickly thus disadvantaging the college. This should not be the problem of students; it is the duty of any Government to educate its citizens and every student should be allowed to write examinations whether or not they paid tuition fees.

Last year the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Stan Mudenge issued a circular stating that no student should be barred from writing examinations over nonpayment of tuition fees, a directive that was ignored by many college authorities. ZINASU had to intervene in some cases for example at Madziva Teachers College in November last year, the NEC members had to conduct a series of meetings with the Principal to make him reverse the decision to bar 67% of the students from writing examinations over failure to pay fees. The Union will continue to work tirelessly in defense of academic freedoms in Zimbabwe.

Visit the ZINASU fact sheet

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