Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira said universities are free to charge operational levies as only tuition fees have been capped at $5 000 per semester.
Murwira made the remarks following the National University of Science and Technology’s (NUST) announcement of new fees. Said Murwira:
The levies are a must. Technology levy and other things are necessary but what we control as Government is the tuition.
We cannot determine how much accommodation fees cost when we do not own it. As we say we want more productivity at universities. For example, last year the University of Zimbabwe did not increase fees, you know why?
Because they have a very productive farm at seven tonnes per hectare and milling company which mills mealie-meal.
So, it means their prices were moderate. So that is what we are trying to encourage all other universities so that we don’t have too high prices for accommodation.
According to the NUST communication and marketing officer, Lindiwe Nyoni, each programme or faculty has certain levies that are charged to ensure its smooth running for the benefit of the students as well as the effective running of the university.