Zimbabwe Varsity fees too high: Students

Patience Nhamburo

There is a low enrolment at universities in Zimbabwe after Government gazetted tuition fees for universities and colleges at between $3 500 and $5 000 per semester while those in colleges are required to pay between $500 and $1 500 depending on the programme.

Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (Zicosu) President Pijiwest Nhamburo, encouraged students facing financial challenges to acquire financial loans, to help pay their fees.

“A number of students have been crying foul over the fees payment plan issued by most state institutions such as the University of Zimbabwe, Bindura University of Science Education and Midlands State University, which are requesting 70% of the required tuition upfront.

“However, for those students facing financial difficulties, we kindly request them to go through the financial loan scheme that has been issued by the ministry, in order to assist the challenges with the fees. That is the only solution to be used because we do not expect students to defer, the loan is payable within 6 months,” he said.

The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Amon Murwira said universities have not turned away any students for not paying tuition or having the requested 70% upfront, but are encouraging students to take up loans to make the payment, as the universities need the money for their day to day running.

“We have not turned away any students for not paying fees. We however encourage them to make use of the financial loan facility, for them to be able to pay their tuition. The Universities need the money to operate flawlessly. You can’t expect to attend a chemistry lecture without chemicals, that’s where some of the money goes,” he said.