Govt finalises tertiary fees

Norman Muchemwa

Government has finalised the tertiary institutions tuition fee structure, a move that is meant to end speculation and confusion on the exact amount to be paid to institutions of higher learning.

Tuition fees for medicine and veterinary sciences in all State universities have been pegged at $5 000 while sciences, engineering and technology students will pay $4 000. Humanities and social sciences students will fork out $3 500.

For polytechnics, teachers’ colleges and industrial training colleges, the tuition fees have been pegged at between $500 and $1 500 from national certificate to higher national diploma.

In a Press statement Thursday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, said it is the role of Government to bear the brunt of making higher education affordable.

“The Ministry wishes to advise the public that the new fee structure for universities, polytechnics and teachers’ colleges and industrial training colleges has been finalised,” said Professor Tagwira.

“The cost of offering higher and tertiary education is much higher than what students pay as the bulk of the actual cost is borne by Government in the interest of making higher and tertiary education accessible and affordable by many students.

“Details of the cost of ancillary fees, accommodation and meals can be found on the website of each institution as well as the Ministry website.

“Please note that in the case of universities, these costs vary from one university to the other as circumstances of the institutions are very different,” he said.

Professor Tagwira said due to economic challenges, the Ministry has put in place loan facilities to help students.

“The Ministry is aware of economic challenges that many students are currently facing; consequently, the Ministry has put in place a Higher and Tertiary Education Loan Scheme to be accessed through the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe (CBZ).

“Forms are available at the institutions and on their websites,” he said.

He added that amenities fee payable in tertiary institutions is pegged at $1 500 term.

The statement, he said, was meant to give the correct information to the public regarding payment of tuition fees in higher and tertiary institutions.