ZIMBABWE: Academics and students doubt power deal

Academics and students in Zimbabwe have greeted a political power-sharing deal struck earlier this month with caution. Students see little chance of the settlement between long-ruling Zanu-PF party and the rival Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) succeeding, mainly owing to mistrust of autocratic President Robert Mugabe. But lecturers hope it will deliver academic freedom and a return of donors who cut support as oppression deepened.

Mugabe signed a political agreement with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai following talks mediated by now-axed South African president Thabo Mbeki. But a new government has not yet been constituted because of bickering over cabinet posts. Zanu-PF is seeking to retain all key positions and uncertainly over the deal has deepened with Mbeki's departure.

Douglas Mwonzora, a law lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe who was elected to parliament in March on an MDC ticket, foresaw some mainly legislative reforms to higher education.

"There will be some changes for the better. As the MDC now controls parliament there will be the introduction of sound laws that will improve the welfare of students as well as improving academic freedoms," he said.

Mwonzora hoped the power-sharing deal might persuade international donors who cut ties with public tertiary institutions to rethink their boycott. The European Union and United States that had imposed targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe's political, public and business leaders, said they would review the sanctions once a new government was in place.

But University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer Eldred Masunungure was sceptical and also thought it premature to predict whether the settlement would improve the lot of students: "The level of rot cannot be reversed by the government alone. International partners are needed but at the moment they are cautious about the deal. It all depends on what Mugabe will do next," he argued.

In an interview with University World News, president of the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu), Clever Bere, said: "We do not trust Zanu-PF or Mugabe as a person with regard to any process that may see his powers being diluted."

Bere said Mugabe's history indicated he "may not be sincere". In 1987, Mugabe entered into a deal with the then political opposition, Zapu, headed by Joshua Nkomo. But over the years he ruthlessly entrenched his rule and forced his former foes into political oblivion.

Still, Bere stressed that a deal to end suffering in Zimbabwe was necessary and hoped that Mugabe would see sense this time around so that the settlement "reflects on the lives of ordinary people and students".

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's ambitious plan to introduce Mandarin at all institutions of higher learning is in tatters as a result of financial constraints. Mugabe, following a stand-off with western countries over his repressive rule, embarked on 'Look East' policy promoting trade, tourism and relations with Asian countries, especially China.

His government also encouraged students to study in Asia, following Australia's decision last year to deport students whose families had propped up the Mugabe regime. Mandarin courses were launched at the University of Zimbabwe but Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Stan Mudenge, said a shortage of lecturers due to funding problems had been a major drawback for the initiative's roll-out elsewhere.

"We had intended to introduce the language at all universities but we are holding back due to the current challenges. Mandarin has boosted our tourism," Mudenge said.

A recent report by the parliamentary committee on education on the operations of state universities, tabled in the House of Assembly last August, said poor working conditions for lecturers were threatening institutions of higher learning through resignations and brain drain.

"University education is crumbling at a rate that has never been experienced in the history of the country," said the report, adding that the government should pay academic staff adequately so that university standards were not just maintained but significantly improved.

Last month the government delayed reopening state institutions following a lecturer strike. The government has not said when universities will reopen but the setting of student fees by the Permanent Secretary of Higher and Tertiary Education, Washington Mbizo, suggests it is hoping to reach an agreement with academics.

The government plans to implement massive tuition fee hikes at public universities that students fear will lead to drop-outs. Medical students, who pay the highest fees, will now be required to fork out Z$14,000 (US$155.2) in a country where most parents earn less than Z$5 000 a month.

The high cost of education in poverty-stricken Zimbabwe has seen some students squatting in university residencies so as to avoid high transport costs. A census at Midlands State University showed 10,000 students living in a residence with the capacity for 2,000.