The introduction of two first-year student intakes -the first in February and the second in August- has created an accommodation crisis at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).
Although some believe the new double intake is a good initiative to reduce the waiting period for students to begin university after A’ Levels, many challenges have arisen from this move including inadequate accommodation, water rationing, and an overloaded sanitation system.
In order to deal with the doubling of students in residence, the UZ has introduced bunk beds in the dormitories. Unfortunately this now means that a small room that was designed to be occupied by one person is now occupied by two people.
Harare News spoke to the secretary for academic and legal affairs in the Student Executive Council, Thembinkosi Rushwaya who is also a third-year student in political science who said, “The idea of bunk beds is not good given the fact that the space in the rooms is not enough. The selected hostels were designed to only accommodate one student. Ablution facilities are likely not to cope. The problem of water rationing has not been dealt with and continues to be a problem regardless of the increased numbers. Humanitarian-wise this is likely to cause problems in the near future, although the administration have made it clear that they will upgrade facilities in the future.”
In spite of the introduction of bunk beds at the institution, accommodation availability continues to worsen for students who are forced to rent rooms in homes in surrounding neighbourhoods – Mt Pleasant, Vainona, Avondale and boarding houses in Mandara. There they live in deplorable conditions sharing with at least six students per room and commuting everyday to the institution.
When approached for comment, the UZ Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr. David Chihombori said, “The introduction of two semesters was demand-driven. It was not an ad-hoc decision by the University but rather a planned and calculated intervention that entailed developing capacity in terms of teaching and learning facilities, students’ accommodation and related infrastructure before enrolment of the additional students. Quality is the key word in higher education delivery by the University.”
But Makomborero Haruzivishe, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe National Students Union and also a third year student at the UZ says, “The accommodation crisis at the UZ is a result of the infrastructural incapacity of the institution to cater for the students’ needs. It is a problem which has systematically deteriorated over the years as authorities tend to focus more on revenue accumulation at the expense of the students’ welfare, safety and dignity.
He explained that the water shortages and fears of an outbreak of typhoid or cholera were some of the issues that sparked the demonstration by students last year. He blames the privatization of education in Zimbabwe for the university’s increasing disregard for student welfare.
Haruzivishe added that the situation at the university has put students in a severely compromised situation while on campus – a place where they are should be able to focus on their work. “Many parents are ignorant about what their children endure every semester at UZ. There are sad, untold stories of those who resort to sexual manipulation to get accommodation on campus,” said
Haruzivishe.
Email [email protected] or whatsapp 0776729326 to share your thoughts and experiences
Image: Urinals at a University of Zimbabwe dormitory
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really
nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future.
Cheers
Hey There. I found your weblog using msn. This is an extremely neatly written article.
I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your
useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
It’s best to take part in a contest for among the finest blogs on the web. I’ll advocate this website!
You are my aspiration, I have few blogs and sometimes run out from to post .
Some really excellent info , Gladiolus I observed this.
Enjoyed looking through this, very good stuff, appreciate it.
Today, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
you are really a good webmaster. The website loading speed is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a magnificent job on this topic!
Great post. I am facing a couple of these problems.
What¦s Taking place i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely helpful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & help other customers like its helped me. Great job.
Have you ever thought about publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my audience would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
I got what you mean , thanks for posting.Woh I am delighted to find this website through google.
What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & assist different customers like its helped me. Good job.
I have recently started a web site, the information you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work. “Show me the man who keeps his house in hand, He’s fit for public authority.” by Sophocles.
This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
you are actually a good webmaster. The site loading speed is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a great process on this topic!
Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work, I am going to start a small Blog Engine course work using your site I hope you enjoy blogging with the popular BlogEngine.net.Thethoughts you express are really awesome. Hope you will right some more posts.
I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i¦m satisfied to exhibit that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed. I such a lot no doubt will make certain to don¦t disregard this site and give it a glance on a continuing basis.
Some really interesting points you have written.Aided me a lot, just what I was searching for : D.
I like this web site so much, saved to fav.
Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!
I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
I truly appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again
I was recommended this website through my cousin. I’m now not sure whether or not this publish is written through him as no one else understand such precise about my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
Really good info can be found on web blog.
Very interesting subject, appreciate it for putting up.
Saved as a favorite, I really like your blog!
Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my weblog thus i came to “return the choose”.I am trying to in finding things to improve my website!I assume its adequate to make use of some of your ideas!!
I couldn’t resist commenting
you’re really a good webmaster. The website loading speed is incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a fantastic job on this topic!
Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any help is very much appreciated.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Outstanding work!
Some truly good info , Gladiola I found this. “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.” by Mark Twain.
I have recently started a site, the info you provide on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
Very good written article. It will be valuable to anybody who employess it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work – can’r wait to read more posts.
In this great scheme of things you’ll receive a B+ with regard to effort. Exactly where you actually confused me ended up being in the details. As it is said, details make or break the argument.. And it could not be more accurate right here. Having said that, allow me say to you exactly what did do the job. The authoring is actually rather persuasive and this is probably why I am taking the effort in order to opine. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. 2nd, even though I can certainly see the leaps in logic you come up with, I am not confident of just how you seem to unite the ideas that produce the actual conclusion. For right now I will, no doubt yield to your point however trust in the foreseeable future you connect the dots better.
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and very broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
Excellent site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your sweat!
Merely wanna comment that you have a very nice web site, I like the design and style it actually stands out.
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Well I really liked reading it. This tip offered by you is very useful for proper planning.
Really wonderful visual appeal on this site, I’d rate it 10 10.
I’m impressed, I have to say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you’ve got hit the nail on the head. Your idea is excellent; the problem is something that not sufficient individuals are speaking intelligently about. I’m very completely satisfied that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for one thing regarding this.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A small number of my blog visitors have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this problem?
I am glad to be one of several visitors on this outstanding website (:, thanks for posting.
This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.