adminWalter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Chinhoyi University of Technology has doubled hostel accommodation fees, forcing some students to live in squalid lodgings outside campus. Students have been paying $140 per semester for campus accommodation, but the fees have been increased to $300 starting this semester. CUT students interviewed said campus accommodation should be relatively cheaper as students are kept in a safer environment.
“Some parents can afford paying the new fees, but most cannot because they are already burdened with basic necessities of life,” said a student who preferred anonymity. Alternative accommodation in adjacent suburbs like Cold Stream, Mpata, Chitambo, Gadzema and Hunyani costs between $50 and $60 per month, which adds up to around $180 per semester.
Some students are being forced to live in squalid and at times crammed conditions. Up to six students are now sharing a room. SRC president Howard Madya welcomed the increase.
“Increase of accommodation fees is much better than tuition fees, which is compulsory. At least someone can have cheaper alternative accommodation elsewhere,” said the Zicosu SRC president.
Zimbabwe National Students’ Union secretary for gender and human rights Joana Mamombe said having more students off campus left female students vulnerable. “Female students are already struggling to have basic necessities like sanitary pads and just to be at school, and increasing accommodation fees means they have to be off campus where they are more vulnerable to vices such as prostitution and abuse,” she said.
CUT marketing and public relations director Mr Musekiwa Tapera said the move was aimed at raising funds to build more hostels.
“We are cognisant of the growing stature of the university which makes it imperative to plan for the future,” said Mr Tapera.
Online Reporter