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A security guard monitors the situation at the NUST administration block where students broke window |
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NUST students rampage
By Brian Chitemba
STUDENTS at the National University of Science and Technology yesterday went on the rampage and destroyed property worth billions of dollars in protest against an increase in tuition fees, which went up from $3 million to between $30 million and $90 million per semester.
The students smashed imported windowpanes, glass doors and fluorescent lights at the administration block at midday.
Police spokesman, Inspector Andrew Phiri, confirmed the incident and said 21 male students were arrested and would be charged with malicious injury to property or public violence.
“The students are in custody at the Bulawayo Central Police Station and will appear in court tomorrow (today),” said Insp Phiri.
Police maintained a heavy presence at the university campus until around 4.30pm.
When Chronicle arrived at NUST, cleaners were clearing the rubble and removing stones that were used to destroy the property from the administration block.
“We have closed the entrance and you have to use the other door because we are removing the rubble,” said one of the workers.
The demonstration brought business at the university to a halt as the authorities were persuading the students to return to lectures.
Some students became rowdy and started attacking those who did no want to join in the demonstration. Other students had to flee from the campus from bullies, who were forcing them to join the demonstration.
NUST Director of Information and Publicity, Mr Felix Moyo, said the students were not happy with the new fee structure.
“Our students have been in class for two weeks and they have already received allowances on a new rate announced by the Government. Everything was going on well until this morning (yesterday) when a group of agitated students stormed the administration block seeking to see the ViceChancellor, Professor Ndlovu over the new fees structure,” he said.
“The security officers blocked the students from entering the offices and that’s when the students stoned the building, destroying windowpanes and other property.”
Mr Moyo lambasted the students for failing to seek dialogue with the university authorities, saying the fees issue should have been discussed instead of turning to violence.
“The students later agreed to return to lectures after they were addressed by the bursar and their Dean,” said Mr Moyo.
Protests over increase of tuition fees also spread to the Bulawayo Polytechnic College where the students boycotted lectures and spent the better part of the day gathered at the college sports ground while some students were seen loitering around the campus.
The fees have been increased from $1,3 million up to $13 million per term with effect from 1 February.
However, some nonresident students left the college campus expressing fear of violent demonstrations.
Police officers remained at the institution’s entrances while the college guards beefed up security.
Students, who spoke to Chronicle on condition of anonymity, said they could not raise the $13 million required by the tertiary institution.
“I come from a poor background and my parents struggled to send me to high school. It’s difficult to raise the fees because I am the eldest son in our peasant family,” said the student.
Another student appealed to the Government to reconsider the fee increase saying a new fee structure should be set up.
Although they appreciated the increase in their allowances, the students said the funds were not enough to cater for their accommodation, tuition, food and transport.
They threatened to continue with the demonstration if the matter was not addressed urgently.
“We will not attend lectures as long as fees have not been revised downwards because it’s just too much. The Government should bear with us,” said another student.
Repeated efforts to contact the college principal, Dr Temba Ndlovu, were fruitless as he was said to be attending meetings.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, told Chronicle from Harare that the Government was concerned about the welfare of the students, but they should not turn to violence.
“We are taking into account the students’ problems and something will be done soon. We will give an appropriate response in due course,” said Dr Ndlovu.
“As the Government, we will assist the students whom we understand do not have a sound economic background to enable them to pay fees.” |
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