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Loveness Mpofu, Sunday News Reporter
MORE than 200 final year students at the United College of Education in Bulawayo have been barred from writing their final examinations after failing to pay fees.
This, however, contradicts the Government’s position that public colleges must not turn away students over non-payment of fees prompting officials to investigate the matter.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira said barring students from lectures or writing examinations due to non-payment of fees was against Government policy.
“The case has not come to our attention, but it is not our policy to send home students for fees. So some behaviour might be out of line but as soon as the information gets to us, we will deal with the college. We know institutions need to buy material for exams and staff but the students are not saying they won’t pay at all but they are just delaying because they are looking for the money. I think we have to be sensitive to such issues. Reactions that are heavy handed like these are not called for.”
Some of the affected students told Sunday News that a few days after the opening of the new term, all those who owed fees were forced to fill in forms indicating that they were deferring their studies to next year.
“Our problem started when teaching practice allowances were slashed, the money which we were earning while on teaching practice was inadequate.
We could not raise enough to pay the fees.
“Initially the college asked us to make payment plans and gave us a period of one week, but there was no way anyone would manage to raise money to clear arrears of more than $1 000 in a period of two weeks,” said a student who asked not to named.
Another student said they were forced to sign forms indicating that they have deferred their studies to next year.
“We are being forced to write deferral letters because we have failed to pay fees. It now seems like education is for the elite.
“If they defer us now, where will we get the money to come back next year? We are, therefore, asking Government to look into the matter, so that we are allowed to attend lectures and write exams?”
Contacted for comment, the institution referred questions to their parent ministry.
However, Mpopoma-Pelandaba representative in the National Assembly Cde Joseph Tshuma, whom the students approached for assistance, said the the Government should fire school authorities who turn away students.
“What the college is doing is unfair and inhuman. Government advises them to withhold results not bar students from lectures. Individuals who defy Government policies should be fired from office because they are abusing power,” he said.
derick.khumalo