Zinasu threatens indefinite class boycott

Zinasu threatens indefinite class boycott

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWEAN university students have given the government a two-week ultimatum to reverse fees increases that they say have resulted in 31,5 percent students abandoning their studies or risk a class boycott at the country’s institutions of higher learning.

In a statement Friday, the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) whose members are paying up to $700 000 in tuition and accommodation fees also threw its weight behind striking doctors and nurses as well as teachers who are currently on a go slow.

The class boycott threat by the students came as police Thursday arrested three Harare Hospital nurses under the draconian Public Order and Security Act (POSA) for allegedly inciting their colleagues at Parirenyatwa hospital to join the industrial action.

Zimbabwean is in the throes of its worst economic crisis in history, with inflation of close to 1300%. Civil servants -- notably teachers, doctors and nurses -- have been threatening open ended strikes as they press for higher pay.

There has also been unrest in the military where rampant indiscipline is said to have set in -- threatening the last institution that President Robert Mugabe banks on to stay in power.

The students said: "The pertinent review of data from the research conducted by Zinasu reveals that more than 31,5 percent students have dropped out of college since February 10, 2006.

“We demand an immediate reversal of the fees hike, and we are giving the government up to February 13, 2007."

Rallying around the clarion call to "Save our Education: Save our Future", Zinasu said university and college students would embark on an indefinite class boycott from February 14, if the government fails to reverse fees increases of up to 2000%.

The government has defended the fees increases as "reasonable".

“The fees being charged in all colleges in Zimbabwe are a clear insult to our parents, most of whom are poor peasant farmers and civil servants who are living way below the poverty datum line,” Zinasu added.

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