O & A Level fees unaffordable: ZIHISSU

Zimbabwe High Schools Students Union (ZIHISSU), in keeping with our mandate as a student board, have noted with grave concern the recent announcement of O and A’ level June and November examination fees which are far beyond the reach of many guardians countrywide. 

It is evident that these fees are unaffordable as reflected by the failure by more than 43% prospective candidates to register for their final exams last year. The US$10 O’ level subject and US$20 A’ level fees being demanded per subject are exorbitant. Despite the failure by such a percentage to register for their final exams last year it is disheartening to note that the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture did not even bother to review these fees. 

On average a student would need at least US$100 to register for the exams yet our parents are the same civil servants earning paltry wages and salaries from the government. Therefore there is enough evidence for the Ministry to realize that the amounts they are demanding will contribute to a further downfall in the number of those who will be able to sit for their final exams and deny the future leaders of the nation their fundamental right to education. The situation will be even harder for those living in rural areas as they are not gainfully employed as they depend on their relatives living in towns and activities such as gardening for survival. 

We therefore appeal to the Honorable Minister of Education Sports and Culture, Senator Coltart to immediately review the insensitive examination fees structure recently announced and come up with an alternative structure that is affordable and reasonable. We further appeal to the leaders in the coalition government to take the education sector seriously and consider the future of this country. 

We reiterate that as students we will not silence our voices unless and only if these outrageous, satanic and diabolic fees are crushed to relieve us from psychological torture impacted on our minds as a result of them. 

Kudakwashe Munemo, President (ZIHISSU)

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