Online Reporter
Peter Matika, Sunday News Reporter
A national advocacy organisation comprising tertiary students with disabilities is calling for urgent reforms to ensure inclusive education, citing numerous systemic challenges that hinder their academic progress and well-being.
The Persons with Disabilities Students Forum (PDSF), a growing coalition of 80 students from universities, polytechnics, and teacher training colleges across the country, is lobbying for institutions of higher learning to prioritise disability inclusion in policy formulation, resource allocation, and service delivery.
The group is also advocating for stronger engagement with the Government and relevant ministries to uphold the rights of students with disabilities and foster an equitable and empowering learning environment.
“We commend the Government’s commitment to mainstreaming disability, particularly through the recent appointment of a Director for Gender Mainstreaming, Inclusivity and Wellness. However, the lived realities of disabled students remain deeply challenging and must be urgently addressed,” the Forum said in a statement.
“It is, however, disheartening to note that despite these developments, students with disabilities continue to face numerous obstacles that threaten their right to equal access to education if not addressed expeditiously.”
The forum highlighted several critical issues affecting their educational journey, including bureaucratic inefficiencies, delayed financial support from the Department of Social Welfare, and punitive institutional policies.
Many students with disabilities rely on Government-sponsored tuition assistance, but delays in disbursement often prevent them from registering on time or accessing their academic results via online portals. In some cases, institutions impose penalties such as interest charges for late payments, further compounding the financial strain.
The organisation stated that such delays result in not only logistical challenges but also emotional distress and academic setbacks.
“We experience anxiety due to missed classes, uncertainty over accommodation, and a lack of essential support services such as on-campus meals,” the forum said.
The group is considering engaging the Ministry to discuss protective measures to uphold the right to education for students with disabilities as a vulnerable community.
Some institutions, the forum noted, fail to adequately accommodate the needs of students with physical, visual, or hearing impairments. Challenges include a lack of accessible lecture halls, absence of learning materials in Braille or audio formats, and limited availability of basic assistive technologies.
“We believe these issues can be effectively addressed through strong leadership and targeted intervention. We would greatly appreciate a response outlining the measures you intend to take to resolve these concerns,” said the Persons with Disabilities Students Forum.
The National Disability Policy (2024-2028), launched in June 2021 by President Mnangagwa, is a pivotal initiative aimed at promoting the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities. It reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to fulfilling, promoting, protecting, and respecting the rights of persons with disabilities in line with international standards and best practices.
The policy serves as a critical step towards achieving Vision 2030 and ensuring that no one is left behind. Its action plan seeks to integrate disability inclusion across key sectors, including public services, education, healthcare, and access to economic opportunities.
