ZINASU slams USD fees
Providence Moyo
The Zimbabwe National Students’ Union (ZINASU) is concerned with the pegging of academic fees in United States Dollars (USD) saying it has resulted in a spike in dropouts.
In an exclusive with Community Podium, ZINASU president Boris Muguti said the move by some academic institutions to peg fees in foreign currency has dealt a huge blow on academic freedom.
” This is a huge blow on academic freedom. Section 75 of our constitution says every citizen has the right to quality and accessible education. The pegging of fees in American dollars is a clear reflection of confusion and heartlessness from the government considering that civil servants are being paid using local currency. Education has become elitist and it is a pity that students from poor backgrounds have to bear the brunt where those from poor families can no longer access education,” he said.
Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) recently circulated a letter in which it told students that it was still deliberating on the fees structure but encouraged students to pay $300 United States Dollars which is a requirement for registration.
“The fees structure for the August 2023 semester is yet to be finalised, students are however encouraged to pay a deposit of USD 300 in order to register, once the new fees structure has been approved, students and all other stakeholders shall be notified through the Great Zimbabwe University website, student portals and other social media platforms.”
Last week Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences issued a USD fees structure for the August 2023- December 2023 semester ranging from USD 440 to 680.
Earlier this year, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) was forced to reverse a fees hike after students staged a demonstration against the then new fees structure which amounted to $720.
Section 75 of the Constitution states that every Zimbabwean citizen has a right to basic state-funded education, which encompasses adult basic education, in which the State must make means of availing access to education and it also goes on to establish very person’s right to establish and maintain, at their own expense, independent educational institutions of reasonable standards, provided that they do not discriminate on any ground prohibited by the Constitution.
