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Masvingo- Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) students living with disability have explicitly claimed that they are being excluded and left behind in most processes concerning students’ affairs despite government’s inclusion mantra, leaving no one and no place behind.
In a hard hitting letter of concern circulating on social media students living with disability allege discrimination and exclusion from various processes starting from representation in the critical Students Representative Council (SRC) where there is no portfolio or ministry of disability affairs.
In the letter dubbed ‘A Call for Inclusion, Justice, and Constitutional Alignment at Great Zimbabwe University’ , students with disabilities also alleged lack of representation has affected students on a government fees scheme who continuously fail to access their results when the department of social welfare delay in paying their fees.
“Regrettably, the Great Zimbabwe University SRC Constitution remains painfully and deliberately exclusionary. It discriminates, segregates, and completely sidelines students with disabilities by denying them a Ministry of Disability Affairs within the SRC structure.
This is not only unjust but profoundly troubling. It reflects a form of exclusion so severe that it echoes practices we hoped were buried with colonialism. Disturbingly, Great Zimbabwe University stands alone in this regard, while other universities across Zimbabwe have already embraced inclusive SRC structures”, reads part of the letter.
The students lamented that as the academic wheel is already turning, very soon universities across the nation will reopen and new students will embark on their academic journeys, while returning students will step into fresh semesters with renewed hope and ambition.
“ As tradition dictates, the early days of the semester will be dominated by vibrant SRC and SRA campaigns voices raised, promises made, posters flying, and passionate debates echoing across campuses as students decide who deserves their vote.
However, amid this political excitement, students with disabilities stand deeply aggrieved and gravely concerned, particularly at Great Zimbabwe University a national institution that proudly bears the name of our beloved country and, therefore, ought to lead by example,” the letter added.
The students with disability said the SRC Constitution is not only morally indefensible but also in direct contradiction to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Disability desk Policy, and the Disability Act, whose journey from concept to law was championed under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
They added that, it further defies the President’s living mantra of “Leaving No One and No Place Behind”, a cornerstone of National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) towards Vision 2030.
Students with disabilities say they face unique academic, infrastructural, and welfare challenges that demand a dedicated and knowledgeable ministry.
GZU Spokesperson, Anderson Chipatiso stated that the institution was dedicated to ensuring inclusiveness and encouraged engagement using proper channels. “Great Zimbabwe University reaffirms its unwavering commitment to
