Female students shun Bulawayo polytechnic

BULAWAYO Polytechnic has witnessed an 11 percent decrease in enrolment this year, with the number of female students drastically going down, a senior official said.

In his report at the institution's 2014 graduation and prize giving ceremony yesterday, the polytechnic's principal Gilbert Mabasa said the student population stands at 3,275 compared to 3,679 last year.

He attributed the decline in figures to the economic challenges facing the country.

"The current student population is 3,275 as compared to the 2013 figure of 3,679. This represents a marginal decline in enrolment of 11 percent," he said.

Mabasa bemoaned the fact that female students were always fewer than their male counterparts.

"In 2013 the student gender distribution was 2,213 or 60 percent male and 1,466 female or 40 percent. This year the gender distribution is 2,213 males or 68 percent and 1,162 female or 32 percent," he said.

"The gender disparity evident in the given statistics is a matter of concern for Bulawayo Polytechnic and indeed the nation as a whole."

Mabasa said the polytechnic continued to strive for gender parity as dictated by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development.

He said the persistent gender disparities at the country's technical and vocational education centres were a threat to the educational advancement of the girl child.

The principal said the college has a 44 percent staff deficit.

"The Bulawayo Polytechnic authorised staff establishment is 618. There are currently 345 members in post and 273 vacancies. This represents a 44 percent staff deficit," he said.

"The staff members in post have continued to decline due to the freeze on recruitment which is a government strategy of containing government expenditure."

Mabasa said in spite of the slow improvement in financial resources, the polytechnic had managed to buy four vehicles and a bus all valued at $260, 000.

The graduation and prize giving ceremony was running under the theme, "Technical and vocational education and training for entrepreneurial skills development".

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development permanent secretary, Dr Washington Mbizvo announced Mabasa's appointment as Bulawayo polytechnic's substantive principal at the same gathering.

"May I take this opportunity to announce that Mr Mabasa who has been the acting principal has been confirmed as of August 4 as the principal," he said.