(Last Updated on September 8, 2020 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – Students from Women’s University in Africa have written a letter enganging the University authorities over the new fees structure which is pegged at US$500 for the upcoming semester.
The circular which has circulated on social media said the new fees will be pegged in US$ and also payable in ZW$ at the prevailing foreign currency auction rate.
It effectively means in local currency, the students will be required to part with $42 000 per semester, which is out of reach for many considering that on average ordinary Zimbabweans earn less than $10 000 per month while mostly are self employed and struggling to make ends meet.
“In this bond economy, the USD pegging of school fees is not just untenable but impossible in a nation where Civil servants are earning just shy of zwl$10 000. Raising Zwl&42 000 would require working and saving100% of the salary for at least five months to pay for a 3 months long semester.” read part of the letter.
“As Students we seek your indulgence for further negotiating for a downward review of proposed school fees structure by at most 50%. In this economy, we request that we meet the costs halfway, as we are still reeling from the after effects of the novel Corona virus.”
Yesterday the students demonstrated at their Manressa campus.