Power relations in Universities: " We and Them"

According to Monash University, at a university, professional relationships between staff and students which facilitate learning, research and the exchange of ideas should be facilitated and encouraged. 

The purpose of this procedure is to explain the expectations of staff members with respect to their dealings with students, including relationships with students. 

The nature of the student / teacher relationship or student / supervisor relationship imposes particular responsibilities and duties on the staff member. 

Because of the staff and student roles, a staff member has power over a student even if students are of a similar age to the staff member. 

Nust building (picture by Radio dialogue)

Staff must ensure that they exercise this power in a respectful and fair manner, and that they avoid sexual harassment,bullying, favoritism and exploitation. 

It is a norm among most Universities that when things turn sour the administrators distance themselves from all activities and blame the lecturers and students for the errors that should have been taken care of by the managment.

" We will pay them once Their students have payed fees", "They should tell their students to pay fees on time so that they get their pay in time", Their students owe the Institution a lot of money", these are common saying or phrases uttered by the NUST administrators.

You wounder why the administrators tend to distance themselves from the academics and students.

A University needs a united front that will stand firm and work jointly for the betterment of the Institution.

According to one Academic, Lecturers must stand with their students against management and against the police – the students who fought against the introduction of tuition fees are the same ones standing with staff on picket lines: we owe our students far more than our livelihoods.

Money an Power are two political aspects that can turn the world round and cause a lot of violence. Power and money should be controlled so that student's wellbeing is not trampled one "when the elephants fight"

Stay tuned for more political updates from NUST. Catch you later.

 read more on these issues at:
http://www.radiodialogue.com/nust-lecturers-reject-university-pay-proposal-strike-continues/

 http://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-local-byo-64470.html

http://www.chronicle.co.zw/nust-lecturers-go-on-strike/

 http://www.chronicle.co.zw/nust-students-demand-end-to-lecturers-strike/ 

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/dec/09/lecturers-students-preserve-right-protest

www.communicationcache.com/.../power_and_conflict_in_the_student-t...

http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/workplace-policy/conduct-compliance/staff-student-relationships.html 

Is the extra fees for students on attachment justified

picture from Facebook

THE National University of Science and Technology (Nust) has set stringent conditions for students who have not paid registration fees and warned they would be forced to repeat. - See more at: http://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-education-byo-11953.html#sthash.zUu8QiLg.dpuf

It has been an issue amongst most students at NUST, they site the fact that they cannot pay more fees when they are not at school.

Most students are attached in places away from their homes and they need money for their wellbeing  in foreign lands.

Carlos Khumalo said we have high rentals and the institution expects us to pay exorbitant fees

He added that: " we pay for internet, sports levy and bus levy whilst we do not use all that and an extra fare for industrial attachment. At times you wounder what all that fees is for they should take into cognisance that most students are struggling to make ends meet as everything is expensive and most attachment places do not pay much".

Another student said the institution is trying by all means to raise funds for its upkeep since it is common knowledge that NUST is bankrupt.

"It is absurd that an institution as big as this one does not care for their students on attachment, why not let those on attachment pay reasonable fees not high fees as they will be away from school, ." said Ngonizashe Muringani.

Where is this money going as students on attachment do not receive any lectures from NUST?

 

Why do students pay for things they will not benefit from?

What kind of institution is NUST that does not consider the hardships students face on attachment?

Is the extra fees and other levies that students on attachment are paying justified?

What is the SRC doing to address such issues?

 http://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-39772.html
http://mulingomichelle.blogspot.com/2015/02/blog-post.html
http://mulingomichelle.blogspot.com/2015/02/students-representative-council-src.html 

Nust Lecturers Still Waiting For 13th Cheque

THE National University of Science and Technology (Nust) and its lecturers, under the umbrella of the Nust Educators’ Association (Nusteda) on Friday reached a stalemate on the issue of payment of bonuses, with the matter being referred to an independent arbitrator.

Two weeks ago, Nust lecturers joined other State university lecturers on a nationwide strike demanding payment of their February salaries and December 2014 bonus.

NUST campus picture by michelle

However, Higher and Tertiary Education minister Oppah Muchinguri quickly intervened and the lecturers were paid February salaries before they returned to work.

The bonus was, however, not paid leaving Nust lecturers disgruntled.

On Friday, the matter was taken before a labour officer of conciliation, where Nust was represented by Biggy Ngwenya from the human resources department, while Nusteda was represented by its lawyer Kossam Ncube and the whole executive led by Alois Muzuwe.

However, the parties failed to agree and the matter was referred to an independent arbitrator.

“It’s true the matter had gone for conciliation before a labour officer where both parties were to present their views so that they reach a settlement, but it failed and was referred for arbitration,” Ncube said.

“Initially there were two matters which had been taken for conciliation, that of the February salaries and bonus.

“However, the February salaries were paid, leaving the bonus outstanding.

“When we went for conciliation, we insisted that bonuses should be paid because they were due since payslips were dispatched, but the money was not deposited.”

Ncube said Nust indicated they could not pay the bonuses since the institution relied on government funds, which were said would be staggered without giving a timeframe.

“We told them that we could not accept such a position where lecturers have to wait indefinitely for their bonus,” he said.

“Having reached that stalemate, the matter was referred for arbitration by an independent arbitrator.”

Last month, State university lecturers countrywide clashed with the government over the late payment of their January salaries and outstanding bonuses.

The government only paid their January salaries in mid-February.

According to Southern eye, early this month, Higher and Tertiary Education deputy minister Godfrey Gandawa said bonus payments had been staggered, starting with the payment of University of Zimbabwe lecturers with the rest to receive theirs as and when funds became available. 

This has an impact on the students marks as they might go to the exams with little or no course mark as Lecturers are reluctant to teach without receiving their bonuses which are long over due.

The government should therefore devise a method that will benefit both the student and Lecturer. Students argue that they did their part way before schools commenced, thus they deserve quality education without any hindrances.

National politics always have an impact on the students as they are the ones who are mostly affected.

 more stories to read around

http://www.zimeye.com/lecturers-strike-no-more-claims-muchinguri-kashiri/ 

http://www.zimeye.com/breaking-news-uz-students-stage-demo-over-striking-lecturers/ 

http://www.zimeye.com/breaking-news-uz-lecturers-launch-massive-strike/ 

Zimbabwe Universities shut down as 10,000 workers down tools

More than 10,00 workers in Zimbabwe's state Universities downed their tools and stayed at home following the government's failure to pay them their February salaries and outstanding 2014 bonuses.

When interviewed the president of the Zimbabwe Universities and Allied Workers Union, Readforward Dube told VOA Studio7 ,

that all academic staff have since withdrew their services early this morning, forcing the Universities to ground to a halt.

Dube added taht they will only resume work if their grievances are met though government officials had informed them that the country does not have the funds to pay them.

Senior officials at several state universities refused to comment and reffered all questions to the ministry of higher education and finance.

Midlands State University lectures have embarked on an industrial action, livid about late payment of February salaries.

The lectures downed their tools on monday following the meeting held at NUST campus last Friday where they came up with a resolution that they will not report for duty until their salaries reflect on their bank balances.

Lecturers and all non-academic staff at NUST went on a strike on Tuesday demanding that the government pays them all their outstanding salaries.

This decision was announced at the meeting addressed by the Nust Educators Association (Nusteda) at the university main campus.

One lecturer was heard saying " If the government does not take immediate action, the situation is likely to spread to other universities as the state battles to keep the economy afloat."

Workers said they were disgruntled by the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) Vice chancellor, Rugare Zvogbo and his administration for ignoring their plight.

However, the situation is not very bad and we hope the government works something out soon because as the Nust Student President there is nothing much I can do, added Shadowlit Ndou.

“How can the university prioritise buying buildings in the city to turn into learning rooms while the workers are not being paid?”

The future of a learned Zimbabwe is not certain as nothing has been communicated to the lecturers or students. 

Nust demonstrations picture from Nehanda radio

http://www.southerneye.co.zw/2015/03/17/nust-lecturers-go-on-strike/

https://www.newsday.co.zw/2015/03/17/protests-at-the-uz/

http://nehandaradio.com/2015/03/16/state-university-lecturers-go-on-strike/ 

 http://www.zimeye.com/breaking-news-uz-lecturers-launch-massive-strike/

http://www.360news.co.za/africa/2015/03/17/zimbabwe-university-lecturers-strike-over-unpaid-salaries/

 http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20150220124002810

 

ZINASU members clash in Harare

Zimbabwe National Students Unions (ZINASU) executive members today disrupted a press conference orgainized by ZINASU president, Gilbert Mutubuki, accusing him of convening the event without their knowledge associating with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Renewal party.

Business came to a standstill at the Media Centre, when rowdy ZINASU members led by some members of the Mutubuki-led executive stormed the press conference room blocking him for addressing journalists.

  

Mutubuki and a colleague were violently removed from the top table by ZINASU members and had to be protected by security guards the venue of the press conference.

ZINASU ecretary general, Obey Sithole, told VOA Studio 7 the blocked the press conference because it was not sanctioned by the executive. But Mutubuki accused his ZINASU colleagues of hiring MDC Tsvangirai formation activists to disrupt his press conference.

ZINASU spokesman Avoid Masiraha hit back accusing Mutubuki of preaching MDC Renewal politics in the organization.

He further accused Mutubuki of trying to replace all executive members with those members aligned to his party saying they will block his attempts.

MDC Renewal spokesperson, Jacob Maumee, said the MDC T cannot dictate who the students must align to adding the students body is a thinking mass and it gravitates towards those they think have are a viable option.

MDC -T spokesperson Obert Gutu said his was a democratic party, which respects people’s freedom of association.

He added that while his party would persuade people it would not force people to join it.

In 2009 ZINASU split over a decision whether or not to support the MDC-T in the constitution making process. -Voice Of America Studio 7.

 
Pride Mkono(extreme-right) with other ZINASU members
http://www.channelzim.net/

http://harare24.com/index-id-news-zk-27456.html

http://www.southerneye.co.zw/2013/10/08/zanu-pf-poll-rigging-opens-can-worms/

http://www.kubatana.net/directory/830/zimbabwe-national-students-union-zinasu/?like=Z&details=Tel&orgcode=zim020

DO WE NEED ZICOSU AND ZINASU

Students' representative council (SRC), also known as a students' administrative council, represents student interests  in the government of a University or other educational institutions. Generally the SRC forms part of a broader students' association which may include other functions such as societies, entertainments (in the form of a Students' union) and sports (in the form of a sports' union).

Universities may have a statutory obligation to receive representation from the SRC and it is usual for student representatives from the SRC to form part of university structures including the University court , academic senate and other bodies.

The background behind the formation of these student representative bodies is highly commendable as they bring about a lot of transparency in the government of Universities.

However, with the case of Zimbabwe Universities, the SRC's presence is not felt as they fail to execute their mandatory duties.

Students feel that these student bodies only partake in SRC elections so that they have funds to finance their own businesses which do not have anything to do with University students.

It is common knowledge that the two most powerful parties in all Universities in Zimbabwe are Zimbabwe Congress Of Students Union (ZICOSU)  which has close ties with Zanu PF and Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU)  which has close ties with MDC, how can such student bodies represent students whilst they have to impress their "Bosses" too, surely no one can ever serve two masters.

NUST President at the Valentines dinner (picture by Michelle Mulingo)

NUST needs a student representative body that is independent from all" National Politics", this will ensure that students welfare is taken care of. A body that will not just receive students' $5 and buy suits and cars  but use it for the betterment of the University.

Students need a body that will not allow National politics to interfere with the smooth running of the University, a united and focused student movement that will deliver  much needed improvement of educational standards  which we all aim to achieve.

 vidoes adabted from youtube

Also read related posts

 http://zimbabwefocus.com/index-id-politics-zk-1.html

 https://www.newsday.co.zw/2014/10/07/graces-phd-divides-student-unions/

http://www.thezimbabwean.co/news/12839/zinasu-resolves-to-rally-behind-morgan-in-presidential-run-off.html

http://www.voazimbabwe.com/content/zinasu-mdct-students-conflict-interference-clash/1775640.html 

http://www.femalestudentsnet.org/index.php/news-and-alerts/93-fsn-condemns-zinasu-zicosu-rivalry

Where is the money going?

Halo there am a NUST politics blogger with interests in politics happening on campus, brace yourselves for a long enjoyable ride.

It might be a cliche but very true, "when elephants fight it is the grass that suffers".

This is the situation in most universities in Zimbabwe as there is an ongoing strike over unpaid bonuses. This leaves a lot of students unhappy as they were forced to pay fees before attending lectures. Lectures that never got to be. The same time last year there was a similar strike but the target was parallel students.

The question then is why is the government allowing such things to happen, why not secure a brighter future for the leaders of tomorrow now. One also asks; "where are the fees going?" Why are lecturers not paid?

The Government's failure to pay civil servants is now a well known to all Zimbabweans, but then the fact that university students are forced to pay all fees before lessons commence leads one to question the management of funds.

Other problems faced by universities particularly NUST include failure to finish constructing buildings on campus.

Most NUST students are heard murmuring questions about the unfinished buildings and have never been answered as to what or who their fees is financing given the fact that there are unfinished buildings on campus whilst other universities are seen to be flourishing with  state of the art infrastructure.

This is one of the buildings at Midlands state university in Gweru.Unlike NUST it does not have any unfinished buildings which some students claim that the politics of marginalisation are at play.(picture from Bulawayo24)

Given the fact that midlands has two intakes and the government makes a lot of money there than at NUST.

Some students argue that that is the reason why they get more favors from the government than NUST which only has one intake a year.

Lupane state university situated in the rural Lupane area exhibits the best designs in terms of infrastructure.( picture from Bulawayo24)

 The picture shows it all, it is a new school and normally it is ideal to finish building an old school than to start a new one. People argue that NUST has strong ties with the opposition party that is why the government is now sidelining all its operations.

NUST unfinished buildings (picture by Michelle Mulingo)

The development of NUST seems to have become a project that the government does not intend to complete.What is influencing this read more of these issues in my next post 

.http://www.thezimmail.co.zw/2014/08/20/nust-hit-by-underfunding/