The High Court has ordered the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) not to withhold students’ results on account of non-payment of tuition fees.
The UZ Students Representative Council (SRC) approached the courts challenging UZ’s decision to increase tuition fees in 2022.
UZ also restricted students’ access to the examination results via its online platform if they had not settled the arrears of tuition fees it had gazetted.
On Friday, 20 January, High Court judge, Justice Tawanda Chitapi, ordered UZ to release examination results to the concerned students and arrange a payment plan with them for outstanding fees.
Justice Chipato also froze the hike of fees by UZ pending the court case in which the students are arguing, through their lawyer Tendai Biti, that the increase was unconstitutional and unjustified. Said the judge:
<blockquote>
Pending the delivery of judgment in Case No. HC 6194/22 reserved by Hon. Chitapi Jon 30 November 2022, the 1st respondent shall not enforce tuition fees set out in ordinance No. 63 dated 6 September 2022.
The 1st respondent is interdicted from withholding the release of results of the two applicants and other students represented by the 1st applicant on account of non-payment of the tuition fees set out in the ordinance.
The first applicant’s members and the second applicant shall however be required upon collection of their results to enter into payment arrangements with the first respondent in terms of which they undertake to pay the difference of the tuition fees set out in ordinance 63 and the previous semester fees levied before the ordinance. Each party bears its own cost.
</blockquote>
UZ was cited as the first respondent with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary education as the second respondent. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/high-court-orders-uz-to-release-of-examination-results-orders-institution-not-to-enforce-fee-hike/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

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High Court Orders UZ To Release Exam Results And Bars Fees Hike

Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Amon Murwira has defended current university fee increases saying they are now lower compared to 2017.
Most State universities have increased fees from around ZWL$50 000 for undergraduate degrees to between ZW$215 000 up to a high of ZWL$358 000 per semester.
Based on the official exchange rate currently standing at US$1:ZWL$628.19 the lowest fees at university now stands between a low of US$342.25 and a high of US$569.89.
Postgraduate students now have to pay an equivalent of between US$469 and US$912.14.
Speaking during an interview with <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/university-education-is-now-cheaper-than-before-struggling-students-must-apply-for-jobs-for-fees-programme-says-higher-education-minister/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> on Thursday, Murwira said part of the fees is ancillary fees set by the universities. He said:
<blockquote>
If you compare the current fee thresholds with what was being charged in 2017, you will note that the fees are now much cheaper.
Back then state university fees were around US$400 but right now we are at around US$200.
Remember, we only approved between ZW$184 000 and a high of ZW$220 000 with the remainder being ancillary fees set by the universities.
</blockquote>
Murwira refused to link the fee structures with current salaries in the economy saying that his mandate is to oversee the efficient provision of higher and tertiary education. He added:
<blockquote>
We are supporting our students in the best way we can. We have a work-for-fees program. We also have a student loan program which even has a very low uptake.
Every student is eligible to take up that loan right now. We have got more than ZW$200 million ready for take-ups. This is what the government is currently doing.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president, Takavafira Zhou, said the university fee hikes have relegated education to a privilege and not a right. He said:
<blockquote>
At worst it must be, therefore, accessible and affordable. The government is to blame and so is the Minister.
In fact, Minister Murwira is always off-side if we are to recall his utterances urging graduating students to build schools.
That only reflect is an achievement way beyond the reach of ordinary citizens and only within reach of the government and development partners
Instead, he must lobby the government and key stakeholders to give students flexible loans, payment terms and grants so that education does not become a preserve of the rich.
</blockquote>

University Fees Now Lower Than In 2017 - Murwira

Sixteen (16) University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students who were arrested on Monday in connection with demonstrations against tuition fee hikes have all been released.
UZ recently increased undergraduate fees to between ZWL$300 000 and ZWL$500 000, up from ZWL$50 000, while some Master’s degree programme tuition fees were increased to close to ZWL$1 million.
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) leader, Allan Chipoyi said the 16 students were all released. He said:
<blockquote>
Since Monday, police have been looking for the organisers of the demonstration that happened and they arrested 16 students who have so far been freed.
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Two of the students, Thelma Nzero (19) and Tinotenda Mwenje (21) appeared before Harare Magistrate, Taurai Manuwere and were remanded out of custody to 29 September.
The two, who were among 14 suspects that were detained at Avondale Police Station, were released on free bail Wednesday.
Their alleged accomplices were released on Tuesday after paying ZWL$2 000 admission of guilty fines at the police station for disorderly conduct.
Meanwhile, police arrested five more UZ students on Wednesday as they continued their search for the organisers of the Monday protests at the Mt Pleasant Campus. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/5-more-uz-students-arrested-over-feesmustfall-protest/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

UZ Students Who Were Arrested Over #FeesMustFall Protest Released

Police arrested five more University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students on Wednesday in connection with demonstrations against tuition fee hikes that took place on Monday at the Mt Pleasant campus.
The five are Tinovimba Musengi, Hazel Gwande, Purpose Mangana, Tanyaradzwa Nzvimbo and Charles Moyo.
They were detained at Avondale Police Station pending their court appearance.
On Monday, 16 students were arrested for allegedly participating in the demonstration.
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) leader, Allan Chipoyi told NewZimbabwe.com that the 16 have since been freed. Said Chipoyi:
<blockquote>
Since Monday, police have been looking for the organisers of the demonstration that happened and they arrested 16 students who have so far been freed.
Today some students were trying to stop others from attending classes as they had agreed that they are staying home, and no one must attend lectures until the issue has been addressed.
The police and UZ security started chasing away students and that is when the five students got arrested.
It is unfair as no one knows if they were part of those who were trying to stop others or not.
</blockquote>
UZ recently increased undergraduate fees to between Z$300 000 and Z$500 000, up from Z$50 000, while some Master’s degree programme tuition fees were increased to close to Z$1 million.
Chipoyi called for dialogue between students and the university administration on the way forward. He said:
<blockquote>
The administration must understand that our parents are peasants and they do not afford such huge amounts of fees.
We need dialogue with the administration on the way forward so we can agree on a more reasonable amount.
</blockquote>

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