College expels 350+ students Remains with 16 paid-up students
MORE than 350 students from the department of teacher education who are in fees arrears were on Wednesday expelled from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo College in Gwanda with the college allegedly remaining with only 16 paid up students, it has been learnt.
This is despite the Government’s instruction that colleges and polytechnics should not turn away students for late payment of fees advising colleges to pursue other avenues of ensuring that the students finally settles the arrears such as withholding results.
Those that have been expelled from JM Nkomo were told not to come back without paying all the arrears save for the two terms of this year. Sources at the college told the Sunday News that all students from the department of teacher education who were in arrears were sent packing and were not allowed into the campus. Most of the students owe the college in excess of $2 000.
Other departments such as technical are said to have been given a grace period and ensure payment is done before they also face the same predicament. Although officials from the college could not confirm the issue, with the Dean of student affairs a Mrs Ncube saying there was nothing like that, students confirmed the developments saying, “We were expelled. We are not learning although lectures are proceeding. They are not allowing us anywhere in the campus. More than 350 of us who are in their last term were affected. The situation is bad and that money is a problem in the country is there for all to see. We are not refusing to pay but we simply do not have the money. Things are hard out there,” said a student.
Student representative chairman Sindiso Dube confirmed the development but said they were still engaging the college administration on the issue.
“It’s a little too early for me to be conclusive in my comment. We are engaging the college authorities with the hope of striking some consensus on the issue. We hope they will understand and allow us to make payment plans,” he said.
In a telephone interview with the Sunday News on Friday, Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Dr Godfrey Gandawa urged students to pay their fees in time to allow institutions to operate smoothly.
He however, said it was neither Government or the ministry’s policy that such drastic measures as expelling students be taken by colleges urging them to pursue other avenues that were not likely to affect the students’ studies. He said all students should be allowed to sit for examinations.
“Let me put it clear that it is not Government policy neither is it our policy as a ministry that students should be sent away for not paying fees. We have always encouraged that payment plans be made and honoured.
“It is a bit harsh and irresponsible for the colleges to expel students and in most cases the timing is not always right as they target those that are preparing for the final exams. We have a similar problem at Madziwa Teachers’ College where students were expelled, there are so many ways of enforcing tuition payment but expelling students is not one of them,” said Deputy Minister Dr Gandawa.
He said they were coming up with mitigatory measures to ensure that students were catered for especially that Government had reduced the amount of allowances given to teachers when they go on teaching practice.
“You may be aware that we engaged the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) to come up with a loan facility for students in tertiary institutions. This, we think will go a long way in mitigating them in the payment of fees. We are aware that the economy is hard but the institutions need to function so we continue urging parents and guardians to pay the tuition.
A statement released yesterday by the ministry cements Dr Gandawa’s sentiments.