HARARE – The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) has called on the inclusive government to intervene and help suffering students in tertiary institutions to shore up a collapsing education sector.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Real Change Times, ZINASU president Obert Masaraure said around 60 percent of students had dropped out of tertiary institutions due to exorbitant fees. “Most of these students are humble sons and daughters of civil servants who earn an average of $150 per month and are expected to pay on average $600 per semester, which is going towards lecturers’ salaries and tuition,” said Masaraure.

The students’ union appealed to the inclusive government to revert to the loan and grant system which was previously used. Masaraure said the cadre scheme was selective and oppressive since all beneficiaries were expected to work in the public sector after completion of their studies. “As a union we demand that the current cadetship scheme be repealed because it is selective and is awarded to those assumed to be of good behavior.

The moment you are seen participating in any student movement or fighting for students’ rights you are not covered by the scheme,” Masaraure said. Since the formation of the inclusive government, 47 students have been suspended while three have been expelled after taking part in student
demonstrations against the exorbitant tuition fees. “Genuine student leaders continue to be victimized whenever we fight for our rights.

We are worried that the principals to the inclusive government when they meet do not discuss issues affecting students. The issue of vice chancellors and principals is cause for concern because they are appointed by Mugabe and are partisan in their duties,” said the student leader. Also of concern is the continued harassment of female students where they have fallen prey to the male lecturers who are demanding sexual favors in exchange of granting pass marks in their respective subjects.

The student leader indicated that there are more cases of sexual harassment at the tertiary institutions that are being swept under the carpet. He appealed to the responsible authorities to intervene. The Zinasu president bemoaned the lack of computers and literature in most of the tertiary institutions, citing teachers training colleges as the most affected.

“It is shocking that most institutions do not have computers and yet they have computer education as part of their modules. For example Magamba Training centre in Mutare and Madziva teachers college in Shamva are expected to teach computer lessons when they finish their training yet there are no computers there. Teachers colleges which were transformed into universities are still to get university literature,” he said.

Students across the country have also been facing ccommodation problems with some resorting to uninhabitable sanctuaries. Halls of residents at the University of Zimbabwe meant to accommodate at least 5692 students were closed in July 2007 and remain closed. Midlands State university has an enrollment of 13 000 students and yet their available accommodation can only cater for 4000 students.

The National University of Science and Technology, NUST, accommodates less than 10 percent of its total enrolment, Masaraure complained.