New varsities get peanuts from Treasury

Newly-established universities have cried foul over paltry budget allocations they received for 2017 financial year, arguing the meagre amounts are tantamount to declaring the higher institutions of learning closed.

The issue came out when vice-chancellors from different universities in the country appeared last week before the Peter Mataruse-led Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education.

The meeting to discuss allocations to the sector was also attended by acting permanent secretary in the Higher and Tertiary Education ministry, John Dhewa.

Dhewa had disclosed that Treasury set aside $45 000 for Gwanda State University, $45 000 for Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, and $25 000 for Marondera University of Agricultural Science and Technology.