Staff Reporter

Students at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) have voiced growing frustration over the continued strike by lecturers, accusing them of intentionally disrupting the academic calendar and undermining the country’s education system.

The strike, which has lasted nearly a month, has left students without any formal learning, yet examinations are reportedly set to proceed as planned.

In an interview with this publication, students say they have not received any lectures or academic guidance since the industrial action began. Many are now questioning how they are expected to write exams without having covered the required material.

“We have been sitting in hostels doing nothing for weeks. Now they say exams are coming, but what are we being tested on?” said a third-year engineering student.

The students allege that the lecturers are deliberately prolonging the strike to apply pressure on authorities but warn that this is causing serious harm to innocent learners.

“It now feels like sabotage. This is no longer just about grievances. It’s like they want to collapse the education system from within,” said a student in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

According to students, the strike has affected all faculties, with lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions completely halted. Some claim they have tried reaching out to faculty members for academic assistance but have received no response.

Meanwhile, university management has not officially announced any change to the academic calendar, and students say they have been left in the dark with no formal communication regarding the way forward.

With exam dates approaching, pressure is building for a resolution. Students say they are prepared to take further action, including peaceful demonstrations, if the situation remains unchanged.

As it stands, the prolonged strike has cast uncertainty over the academic future of thousands of students, who now fear being examined on material they were never taught.