In January 2025, Great Zimbabwe University proposed a significant tuition increase for the upcoming semester, subject to approval by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. The proposal follows a previous adjustment to the registration threshold, which was raised from 50% to 75% and then reduced to 60% after student protests.
Students have expressed concern that the fee hike will force many to defer studies or drop out due to financial constraints. The Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) criticized the move, stating it disproportionately affects students from low-income backgrounds, including children of civil servants and vendors. Reports also note a gendered impact, with some students warning that female peers may be pushed into vulnerable situations to fund their education. Meanwhile, unresolved service issues—such as poor internet access—have raised further questions about the justification for increased fees. Students have initiated a petition calling for the registration threshold to return to 50%.
Comments/Recommendation
ACAF recognises the need for governments to find means to fund university education. However, it is concerned that the proposed fee increase could threaten equitable access to higher education, potentially excluding marginalized students and limiting diverse participation in academic life. Financial barriers may inhibit students’ ability to engage in research, debate, and advocacy—key elements of academic freedom. Disparities in service quality further undermine the learning environment. ACAF, therefore, calls for a reconsideration and review of the new fee policy to ensure that measures are taken to grant scholarships, bursaries, campus jobs opportunities, etc to students from poor backgrounds so that their education will not be interrupted by the implementation of these measures.
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