Dr Godfery Gandawa
Itai Muzondo
12 March 2017, MASVINGO – As the economic crisis continue to bite, many students from the Midlands State University (MSU) and Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) have found themselves in a quandary, with the two institutions resolving to bar non-registered students from attending lectures.
A host of students have failed to register for the new semester over non-payment of fees as parents continue to struggle to raise fees for their children.
Several students at GZU who spoke to TellZim News said security guards were manning entry points to restrict access to lectures.
“Guards are manning all entry points leading to lecture rooms asking for identity cards and failure to produce one results in you being denied entry. The identity cards are only given to students who have paid full fees or three quarters of the required money. We are stuck and wish we had not come to school,” said one student.
GZU Vice Chancellor Professor Rungano Zvobgo told TellZim News that the process is not meant to punish students but was aimed at making them come and present their particular cases to the university so that a win-win situation can be found.
“It’s too early to speak of how we will help but honestly, the process will make the students visit the registration office and file their challenges. Having their challenges on record will enable us to help them swiftly,” Zvobgo said.
The Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education; Dr Godfery Gandawa, however, said it was not allowed to block students from accessing lecture rooms.
“I am not aware of that but it is totally not acceptable. I urge students to approach me when they face such challenges than suffer in silence.
“Universities know the procedures given by the Ministry which they should follow with regards to students who fail to pay fees. I will make sure that this situation is addressed as soon as possible,” Gandawa said.education
