Staff Reporter
University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students today protested against the recent fees hikes which they say are too exorbitant.
This week, the University hiked its fees from ZWL60 000 to half a million Zimbabwean dollars.
Students who spoke to this publication said that the recent fees hikes were shocking and a blatant attack on the country’s education policy that gives every citizen an unlimited access to education.
“Cognizant of the earnings of our parents, these recent fees hikes are astronomical and unjustified. We call on the Government to subsidize tertiary education so that education doesn’t become a commodity for the elites only,” said a law student Enock Mangezi.
Another student, Angela Tumbare said as students they were rejecting the fees hikes and that only a mentally challenged person could approve such exorbitant fees.
“Many students are contemplating deferring their studies because parents and guardians can’t pay such astronomical fees. We urge the authorities to immediately reduce the fees to allow students to access education as enshrined in the country’s Constitution,” said Tumbare.
Lameck Chimuko, a journalism student said that the fees hikes might have been implemented by someone who was working against President Mnangagwa to de-campaign him ahead of the 2023 elections.
The fees at UZ skyrocketed to the extent that some students are now contemplating withdrawing from their programmes. Students from the Faculty of Agriculture, studying BSC Honours Degree in Environmental Protection, Technology and Design are now expected to pay ZWL$485 760 while students studying towards a Masters of Business Degree are now expected to pay ZWL$911 480.
Addressing the students during the protests, UZ Student Representative Council president, Allan Chipoyi urged the students to abscond lectures until the fees are reduced to reasonable levels. He added that students should continue calling for the reduction of fees until their pleas reach the ears of the authorities.
Meanwhile, ZICOSU president Pijiwest Nhamburo told this publication that students were not happy with the steep increase of fees. However, he urged students to remain calm as negotiations are ongoing between the Government and the University authorities.
