The minister of higher and tertiary education, Dr Stanley Mudenge, told a graduation ceremony at the college last weekend that no-one should be barred from taking exams. It was unclear, though, why Mudenge had not acted on several pleas from the student body ZINASU to help with fees.
Mudenge urged all tertiary institutions to allow students to sit their exams, but said they could withhold certificates until fees were fully paid up.
ZINASU President Obert Masaraure said around 60 per cent of students had dropped out of tertiary institutions due to exorbitant fees.
Most of these students are humble sons and daughters of civil servants who earn an average of $150 per month and are expected to pay on average $600 per semester, which is going towards lecturers salaries and tuition, said Masaraure.
Mudenge also denied widespread complaints that the cadetship programme in tertiary institutions was being implemented on a partisan basis. The students union wants the cadetship scheme repealed because they say it is selective and is awarded to those assumed to be of good behaviour.
The moment you are seen participating in any student movement or fighting for students rights you are not covered by the scheme,Masaraure said.
Since the formation of the inclusive government, 47 students have been suspended and three have been expelled after taking part in student demonstrations against high tuition fees.
Mudenge said: We have not turned down a single cadetship application despite what some people are saying.
Mudenge said the number of students under the programme rose from 5,636 in 2007 to more than 31,000 this year.
Post published in: Politics