Nust students join strike

STUDENTS at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo on Friday marched to the university’s administration offices protesting against the institution’s inability to resolve issues with lecturers who are on strike, a situation that has resulted in the disruption of learning.

Lecturers at the institution on 7 February went on strike in protest against alleged mismanagement which they say was crippling operations.

Although Nust Student Representative Council president Mr Pablo Chimusoro could not be located for a comment, Sunday News witnessed some of the students marching to the offices. One of the protestors said they were fed up with the the impasse between lecturers and the institution.

“There are quite a number of issues that need to be addressed. The issue of lecturers not attending lectures. There is the issue of lack of a proactive and substantive Vice-Chancellor, gross and serious mismanagement by the institution’s executive. Look at the way Nust has been stagnant in terms of development compared to newer universities,” said one of the students who took part in the protest.

This is the second time lecturers at the university have gone on strike over the same issue. Last September the lecturers downed tools accusing management of splashing money on luxurious vehicles at the expense of students’ learning materials and equipment.

Nust Education Association (Nutsenda) secretary-general Mr Blessing Jona, said the institution and its lecturers were still in deadlock, saying the issue was being dealt with in court.

“We have been made aware that the ministry intends to intervene and perhaps work on normalising the situation. However, instead of giving us time to digest and come up with a positive response to what they (Nust management) had proposed they decided to serve us with papers and took us to court,” said Mr Jona.

Another lecturer who spoke on condition of anonymity said the union was not happy with the way the council was running affairs at the institution.

“They really have an issue against Prof (Samson) Sibanda (acting Vice Chancellor). It is not only the lecturers but the students as well,” said the lecturer at the institution, adding that the management instead of channelling funds towards the development of the institution they bought expensive vehicles for personal use.

Nust director for communication and marketing Mr Felix Moyo said he was not at the institution when the students held their protest. “I was out of campus at the time but I am informed students just wanted to know whether they should come back on Monday for studies,” he said.

Mr Moyo said the issue between the institution and its lecturers was being handled in court where they are required to produce a show cause order.