Mildred Sithole, Midlands Reporter
STUDENTS at Gweru Polytechnic are up in arms with the institution’s authorities following an announcement that they will no longer be served meat at their dining hall.
A new meal plan released by the institution and displayed at the Dining Hall which was seen by Sunday News dated 23 September 2019 shows that the students will only have chunks, vegetables or beans. The institution has also cancelled breakfast for students staying on campus.
A student who spoke on condition of anonymity said students were now having isitshwala/ sadza with vegetables, beans, chunks or cabbage except on Wednesdays and Sundays where they are served rice.
“We are now eating sadza seven days a week during both lunchtime and dinner and this kind of menu is expected at high schools, not at tertiary level. Everything has gone wrong from both the facilities and services but these are not things we can protest against but the responsible authorities should work on it and come up with possible solutions,” said the student.
Gweru Polytechnic principal Mr Washington Chandiwana confirmed that the institution had made some adjustments to its menu which corresponds with the prevailing economic situation. He said Gweru Polytechnic was doing the best under the circumstances to ensure that students got food every day.
“Check the prices of basic commodities like cooking oil and meat. This is the reason we came up with that menu. Considering the amount of tuition fees the students are paying we cannot afford them. If you check with other universities and colleges you will know that it’s not Gweru Polytechnic alone. Parents and students who are disgruntled by the new meal plan should also consider the economic situation. If they are to do their own budgets at home, they will realise that sometimes they do not have meat every day,” he said.