HARARE While universities across the country this month opened their doors for the new academic year, some schools defied government directives by turning pupils away over non-payment of fees.
The University of Zimbabwe (UZ) opened its doors for the academic year on September 13 with the UZ Student Representative Assembly (SRA) leader, Tinashe Chisaira, urging students to unite. The Polytechnic, Agricultural and Teachers colleges opened last week for the third term, however, the majority of institutions are demanding full payment of tuition fees for students to be entitled to attend classes.
The Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) Student Representative Council had a General Meeting on September 8 to allow students to voice their views. The Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Kuipa assured students that water problems would be addressed with immediate effect.
Elsewhere, Zimbabwe’s Education Minister, David Coltart, has called for the formulation of a new education policy that bans schools from chasing away students over non-payment of tuition fees. Coltart expressed concern over the defiance by some schools that turn away pupils for non-payment of fees and called for the formulation of a policy that will address the issue once and for all.
“The issue of turning pupils away for non-payment of fees is a perennial problem and schools are not allowed by the law to do that,” said Coltart. “It is only that there is a degree of lawlessness in our education system and it is very difficult to police some operations in the sector. There is a need to amend our legislation on education with regards to the charging and payment of levies, fees and incentives because there are a lot of misdemeanours in those aspects. We need to have a policy that will state clearly on how schools should deal with these issues.”
Coltart said the rights of children were paramount.”The education of a child is more important than anything, it is a human right and Zimbabwe signed the International Convention on the Rights of the Child. There is need, therefore, for us to include that in our constitution to ensure that we comply with international standards. This cannot be done until education is prioritised in policy issues. In that case Government will be able to deal smoothly with issues of fees and levies,” he said.
Scores of pupils from schools in Bulawayo and other cities were barred from entering their school premises on the opening day on Tuesday because they had not paid their third term fees. Parents have raised concern over the issue and urged Government to intervene.
Post published in: News