BY LORRAINE MUROMO STUDENT leaders say they are being victimised by lecturers for activism and protests over their welfare at institutions of higher learning.
Addressing fellow students at a discussion by Southern African Students Union on the state of academic freedom in the region, Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) secretary-general Joseph Nyamayaro said there was a systematic attempt to silence them.
“I am going to touch on the victimisation of student leaders: Various institutions of higher learning around the country, mainly teacher and polytechnic colleges see the continuous shrinking of the democratic space where Zinasu members have been harassed simply because they belong to the student movement and represent an idea worth fighting for,” Nyamayaro said.
Nyamayaro said a number of student leaders had been suspended for activism.
“This is one of the threats we are facing in this country and an attack on academic freedom because students should not be constricted to associate themselves with any form of grouping.“
Nyamayaro added: “There are exorbitant fees in institutions of higher learning. We are shocked to see institutions of higher learning increasing fees to alarming rates in United States dollars which is shocking because our parents are being remunerated in the local currency.
“This led to thousands of students deferring their studies and finding alternatives of survival and even moving into neighbouring countries and this is a threat to academic freedom.”
All Africa Students Union secretary for gender and international relations, Angel Mbuthia said: “There is power in student movements and let us push for quality and affordable education for all. We shouldn’t ask, but demand.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
- Follow Lorraine on Twitter @RMuromo
