By Staff Reporter
Lupane Local Board (LLB) and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) have entered into a USD$20 million partnership to construct student hostels for 3 000 students.
Students from Lupane State University (LSU) and the soon to be established school of nursing will benefit from the accommodation facility.
LLB Secretary Collen Moyo said land for the project has since been identified.
“In partnership with the IDBZ we will soon start the construction of residential flats to accommodate 3000 university and nursing college students,” he said.
LSU students who spoke to the Harare Post said the intervention was long overdue.
“We have a real challenge in the area of accommodation as most landlords charge exorbitant rentals which are in most cases beyond our parents or guardians’ reach. We applaud the initiative as it will ease the current situation,” said Lynnet Chauke a student at LSU.
Another student, Lizwe Tshaka said student hostels will come with adequate infrastructure for students.
“Some houses we stay in don’t have running water, Wifi or study areas. With students hostels most of these facilities will be in place. This will help us score better marks.
“Also in designated student hostels there is some semblance of order as they will be manned by wardens compared to own accommodation,” Tshaka said.
Educationists agree that at the level of tertiary studies, students require an environment that makes it easier for them to concentrate on their studies without unnecessary distractions. For example; there are students who commute to campus from areas rife with noise pollution or where over-crowding is the order of the day.
The establishment of more institutions of higher learning and the increase in student population require a reassessment of the provision of student accommodation because of the rising demand for student housing.
This is an issue that has not been given priority status in the past; however the New Dispensation is turning the tables through private partnerships and other initiatives to improve the provision of student accommodation.
Preferably, universities should have adequate accommodation for the majority of enrolled students, in particular those from faraway places and those who come from outside Zimbabwe.
