Students Union Representatives meet Parliament of Zimbabwe
Harare-The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) leadership on Monday met with the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education to discuss the state of Tertiary Education in the country and the plight of students.
The country’s largest students union‘s delegation was led by its President Clever Bere and his lieutenants Secretary General Freeman Bhoso, National Spokesperson Blessing Vava, Secretary for Education and Research Obert Masaraure, while the Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (ZICOSU) was represented by its President, Mr. Christopher Mutangadura.
The issue of the University of Zimbabwe topped the discussions with both unions pressing the portfolio committee on the need for a holistic approach in dealing with the challenges bedeviling the country’s oldest and largest tertiary institution of higher academic learning.
The ZINASU President told the committee that the problems at our institutions of Higher learning stem from inadequate funding from the fiscus. The Portfolio Committee was also requested to pressure the government to prioritize and fund tertiary institutions.
The other issues discussed include:
- The exorbitant tuition fees being charged by the institutions of learning, which have been proved beyond any measure of doubt that they are beyond the reach of majority of the students.
- The fate of NUST and other tertiary institution students who failed to write their exams as a result of their failure to pay fees.
- The level of dilapidation of the infrastructure and the acute shortage of accommodation in almost all institutions of higher learning, coupled with the transport woes.
- The issue of repressive ordinances, in particular Ordinance 30, which is being used to persecute students who carry an opinion contrary to that of the administration.
- The unprofessionalism in the running of Examinations by Higher Education Examination Council (HEXCO)
- The plight of both the Academic and Non Academic staff in almost all tertiary institutions
MP Patrick Zhuwawo chaired the meeting and other members of the committee who were present included MP’s Editor Matamisa, Marvellous Kumalo, Anastasia Ndlovu, Jefrison Chitando, and Hamandishe Edmore Maramwidze.
ZINASU says it will continue engaging all the relevant stakeholders in the quest to find redress to the plight of students in the country.
