The Sunday News
Harare Bureau
TREASURY has released at least $6 million to each State university to subsidise student tuition fees and the institutions’ daily operations.
The money will help the higher learning institutions moderate their fees structures. The institutions had submitted to Government proposals about their need to increase the fees in order to finance daily overheads.
A fortnight ago, the institutions had proposed fees hikes of up to $12 000 per semester, up from last semester’s maximum levels of $1 700.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira told our Harare Bureau that the disbursements are meant to cushion students from high fees.
“Government has released operations money so that the fees remain moderate. Each State university is being given an average of $6 million for operations this year, and this is for the first time. We are doing this in order to remove the burden of tuition fees on the students. The move seeks to ensure that our universities are able to operate optimally without having to charge exorbitant fees. Otherwise if they are to completely depend on fees, they will have no choice but to charge high amounts.”
Prof Murwira encouraged universities to invest in revenue generating projects at their institutions. He said this will also subsidise tuition fees.
University of Zimbabwe Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Mapfumo confirmed the development, adding that the funding will result in the institution pegging “reasonable” fees.
Lupane State University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pardon Kuipa also welcomed the development.
Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (Zicosu) national president Pijiwest Nhamburo said Government’s intervention is timely. Last week, Government said State universities must set their full fees, including tuition and accommodation, at $5 000 and below per semester.
