The ManicaPost
Nyasha Mapasa Weekender Correspondent
UNIVERSITY students have expressed concern over the recent fees hikes in various higher and tertiary education institutions across the country, saying the move is likely to deprive them of their right to education.
A snap survey conducted by The Weekender in Mutare revealed that the new proposed fees are a blow to many students from various universities across the country.
Government last week said State universities must set their full fees, including tuition and accommodation, at $5 000 and below per semester, which saw some institutions reducing from the $12 000 per semester they had initially proposed.
Students who talked to The Weekender complained that they could not afford such fees as most of their parents were civil servants and earning $800 to $1 200.
“Honestly, I cannot believe that fees have increased that much. My mother is a civil servant who earns $1 200 and this means that she will need to work for five months to be able to pay my tuition for one semester. I am also not the only child in the family for that matter plus there are other expenses that same $1 200 has to cater for,” said Ashley Magaa, a student from the University of Zimbabwe.
UZ fees increased from last year’s $503 to $5 310. However, this was not the final proposal as it appeared on the portal only as a generic quotation.
Midlands State University also increased its tuition from $694 to $5 792 and this has since left students like Neville Mukahanana wondering if he would be able to finish his studies.
“The fees hike is too much, some of our parents are pensioners they cannot afford the money that is being asked for. I think most of us will be forced to defer our studies,” he said.
Mutare Polytechnic also increased tuition fees by more than 1 000 percent. National certificates students will now pay $ 3 025 excluding accommodation.
Sibongile Magadza, a student at Mutare Polythenic, told The Weekender that the institution should have been considerate before coming up with such high fees demands.
Another student from the same institution, Kuziva Manyoka, also expressed shock at the new fees hike.
“I am still in shock, I have not even told my parents yet and I do not know how to tell them and how they will take such shocking news, I honestly do not know where the money is going to come from,” he said.
An accounting student from Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) also confirmed that their fees had increased from $591 to $5 045.
“No formal communication or notice has been made, only to find out under the fees statement. This is so confusing, people are asking whether this amount will include accommodation,” said Rudo Chipoyi.
However, some students are still hopeful that these fees will reduce further as Treasury recently released $6 million to each State university to subsidise student tuition fees as well as the institutions’ daily operations.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira confirmed that the disbursements are meant to cushion students from high fees.
