Nust students suspended

Paul Sixpence
01.06.09

Ten students from the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) have been suspended pending disciplinary hearings following a demonstration that took place at NUST on the 16th of April.

The ten are, Kurai Hoyi, the President of the Nust Students Representative Council (SRC), Samson Nxumalo, the Secretary General, Vivid Gwede, Mukai Chisumo, Christopher Hwacha, Tawanda Saiti, Fortune Karimanzira, Degray Ziramba, Michael Zimamba and Taurai Chimwanza.

Eight of the ten suspended students are also facing criminal charges arising from university and private property damaged during the demonstrations.

Students were demonstrating over the decision by the university to bar students who had not paid full tuition fees from writing examinations. Tuition fees are currently ranging between US$415 and US$515 per semester. Scores of students who failed to raise the required tuition fees were forced to defer their studies.

Students are complaining that the fees are too high and their guardians, parents and sponsors cannot afford them. Civil servants are earning a socialist allowance of US$100 a month.

“The university administration has failed us,” said Vivid Gwede, former Nust SRC secretary general. “The decision to raise tuition fees to astronomical levels will result in the majority of students dropping out of university. This is sad, considering that most of the students at Nust are from peasant backgrounds and education is the only means to self-emancipation.”

The decision by the university to bar students who had not paid tuition fees to write their examinations is a contradiction to government pronouncements by the minister of higher and tertiary education, Stan Mudenge that no student will be sent away because of failure to pay tuition fees. Surprisingly, Mudenge and the coalition government have been mum on the developments at Nust.

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