The government has explained and defended the recent significant increase in tuition fees at state universities, especially the part that is charged in United States dollars. They argue that this increase will help the universities function effectively, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200019382/govt-defends-varsity-fee-hike">NewsDay</a> reported. However, many parents and guardians who receive their salaries in the rapidly depreciating Zimbabwe dollar have criticized the fee hike.
During a question-and-answer session with lawmakers, Skills Audit minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Paul_Mavima/">Paul Mavima</a> stated that the current fee increases were essential. Mavima said:
<blockquote>
It is government policy to increase fees at State universities, but only when it is necessary. In order for those universities to operate optimally and efficiently, there has to be increases.
I am not sure whether there was a specific increase recently, but if there was, I would assume that it was caused by the need to make sure that our universities are providing sufficient services to those students who are going to those universities.
If there have been increases, they should be justified. Remember universities have to offer services ranging from student services, to teaching and learning infrastructure that should be top notch and that require those who go to those universities to pay commensurate amounts to make sure that our universities are well funded.
</blockquote>
The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Harare_Institute_of_Technology/">Harare Institute of Technology</a> last month increased fees by 300%, to US$900 while the University of Zimbabwe tuition fees now range between US$470 and US$720.
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Midlands_State_University/">Midlands State University</a> hiked its fees for the August semester to between US$933 and US$1 888.
When asked whether the government had privatised tertiary institutions, Minister Mavima responded by saying that the assumption that current student fees cover the full cost of education is incorrect. He admitted that the government is not fully funding the education sector. Mavima explained that the increases in fees are necessary to ensure the provision of quality education at the tertiary level.
International declarations, such as the Dakar Declaration and the Incheon Declaration, recommend that a significant portion of the national budget or the country’s gross domestic product should be allocated to education, typically around 20%.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

Government Defends Recent Increase In State University Tuition Fees

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>

Five More UZ Students Arrested Over Demonstration

University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students have petitioned Parliament seeking it to intervene over the recent sharp tuition fees hike and guarantee that they enjoy their right to education.
This comes after UZ increased its fees by more than 600%. Undergraduates will now pay $485 500, up from $60 526, while those studying for masters programmes will fork out $1 million per semester. Reads the petition:
<blockquote>
The proposed tuition fees are not considerate of the other essential expenses every student has to go through.
Most students are not from Harare which means they need to cover their accommodation and with where the university campus is located, surrounded by low-density suburbs, the accommodation charges are higher than US$50 per month.
The average salary of a civil servant is US$175. At that amount, the majority of parents cannot afford to pay the proposed fees since they also have to cover family basic expenses.
To consider our petition as an urgent matter and immediately intervene in the UZ fees-making process to guarantee that the right to basic education is respected through the charging of affordable fees.
</blockquote>
The students said the tuition fees must be pegged at $200 000 and below for all degree programmes. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200000441/parliament-petitioned-over-hefty-uz-fees">NewsDay</a>

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