Authorities in Zimbabwe have closed the University of Zimbabwe, the country’s oldest, after violent demonstrations sparked by the government’s decision to charge fees in foreign currency. The protests followed an official notice demanding that students pay an examination fee of $US400 and $US1,800 per semester, and quickly spread to other public institutions.

A joint statement released by the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), the Zimbabwe Students’ Christian Movement, the Youth Agenda, and the Students’ Solidarity Trust, said 75 students had been arrested at the university during their National Campaign Against Dollarisation of Education in Zimbabwe.

The university closure placed in jeopardy examinations supposed to be taken last week and spilled over to other state-run institutions. Three students were arrested at Midlands State University after nearly 300 students marched to the vice-chancellor’s office.

In a court session, three of the 75 University of Zimbabwe students, Vitalis Mudzonga, Justice Chikanga and Tawanda Katsuro, were accused by prosecutors of having property worth US$1,000.

A statement released by ZINASU following the university’s closure said, “Payments of fees in foreign currency will be the final death nail on the collapse of our once vibrant and robust education sector. Scores of students will drop out of school owing to high fees.”

The union has vowed to “continue the fight against ‘dollarisation’ and the commodification of our birthright that is education”.

From Clarence Manyukwe in University World News

Thanks to Sokwanele – Zimbabwe at Flickr for the image