Shock rise in University of Zimbabwe tuition fees

By Lance Guma
08 February 2006

The cost of university education rose 10 fold this week following a decision by the University of Zimbabwe to set their fees at over Z$ 35 million a year from the previous Z$ 3,5 million. Tuition fees go up from
Z$ 2 million to Z$ 11 million per year while the cost of meals goes up from Z$ 1,5 million to Z$ 21 million per year. Accommodation previously combined with meals under the Department of Accommodation and Catering Services now falls under its own fee structure at Z$ 3 million per year.

The president of the Zimbabwe National Students Union, Washington Katema described the increases as shocking. He accused government of trying to ‘commodify’ education and make it hard for poor people to access. The government has raised the support rate for students at the university from Z$ 6 million to Z$ 11,5 million a year and this he said clearly fell short of the Z$ 35 million needed to pay up. Prior to the increases, the students were planning countrywide demonstrations when colleges open next week. Now they say their cause is even stronger.