By Abner Ndlovu
The rising cost of education has become a significant concern for higher and tertiary students in Zimbabwe especially polytechnics and teachers colleges for long the most affordable and flexible higher education institutions.
Many students are struggling to cope with the high fees which has led to a high drop out turnover and prostitution as some scavenge for survival.
The list of expenses do not end with tuition alone, there are other expenses like accommodation, food and college consumables. Landlords are taking advantage of the desperate students pricing their rentals so high knowing the students have no other choice. They are making a killing out of the struggling students.
Students are hopeful that the Government will build more students accommodation for each tertiary institution to accord affordable accommodation to them.
It’s survival of the fittest as a big number of students are now forced to take on part-time jobs to supplement the little which their parents or guardian’s are supplementing.
This financial burden is overwhelming and stressing students.Leading to high failure and high drop out turnout. No wonder why tertiary institutions have become a haven for Sexually Transmitted Infections as the girl child is forced to use their vagina as a source of income on sexual relations where negotiating for safe sex is highly difficult.
With the brilliant education 5.0 underway ,it will be difficult to achieve under these harsh economic and learning conditions. Education 5.0 need to be backed by a conducive learning environment that lessen the burden on students.
Higher and tertiary is the backborne of the economy as most industry experts are moulded there and Vision 2030 needs industrialisation driven by competent graduates.
There is a growing need for support from the government. Otherwise, polytechnics which have been the doyen of producing hands on and practical solution graduands will struggle with enrollment and producing very competent graduates like they have been known to do for long a time.
