Nust ordered not to bar students from writing exams over unpaid fees

THE Government has ordered the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) to reverse its decision to bar students who have not paid fees from writing examinations that are expected to start today.

Nust is owed more than $500 000 by students on self-funding programmes.

Police had to be called to the institution last Thursday to restore order as students protested against Nust's decision that those who have not paid fees would not sit for end of semester examinations.

The students subsequently engaged the Government which ordered the university to allow them to register so that they can write their examinations and make payments later.

In an interview, Nust's director of communication and marketing Mr Felix Moyo said all students would sit for their examinations.

He said Nust was in constant communication with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development over "unusual situations" such as students' failure to pay fees.

Mr Moyo said while the Ministry ordered that all students should write examinations, their results and certificates would be withheld.

"They're going to register and then write. They must still talk to the bursar and come up with a payment plan. The communication from the Ministry talks about holding their results, holding their certificates and what have you," he said.

Mr Moyo said students should report to the Nust's bursar's office and make payment plans because some of them have never paid since enrolling at the institution.

"I don't have the exact figure now but it's more than half a million dollars. The individual students who have the highest arrears owe about $2 700.

"And you can see how many semesters that is if you divide by $500. We are talking about more than five semesters and this means someone has been coming to university for more than two years without paying fees," he said.

Mr Moyo said the harsh economic environment should not be used as an excuse for not committing to the payment of fees.

"In as much as we all talk about difficulties that we have, the difficulties face everybody including universities. Universities need to provide water, electricity, broadband and provide a clean environment for the student. That has to be paid for. Parents should make an effort so that we share the burden to ensure that the students go through their degree programmes," he said.