Concerns over reopening of campuses unite student unions

Three medical students have tested positive for COVID-19 amid opposition by student unions to the Zimbabwe government’s decision to reopen institutions of higher learning, saying it may backfire due to a lack of adequate health and safety measures on campus.

Last month, the government said universities, which closed on 24 March, could start to reopen to final-year students with effect from 1 June after they meet safety guidelines from health experts. However, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Amon Murwira told the Sunday News last weekend that the 1 June date was only set to allow universities and colleges to “start preparing for reopening”.

The three medical students tested positive on arrival, ahead of their examinations, at the National University of Science and Technology Medical School, according to local news reports. The school is housed at Mpilo Central Hospital where some health workers have also tested positive.

Minister of Health and Child Care Obadiah Moyo told parliament on Wednesday 3 June that full details of the three medical students would be provided later.

As of Tuesday 2 June, Zimbabwe had recorded 222 COVID-19 cases and four deaths. Critics say the figure may not reflect the situation on the ground due to low testing capacity.

Student unions unite over COVID-19

Concern over the safety of students has united rival student unions: the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), which is sympathetic to the main opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC); and the Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union (ZICOSU) whose leaders are aligned to the ruling ZANU-PF.

Last week, the two unions jointly met officials from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development and resolved to form a joint taskforce to serve as a watchdog and to champion students’ interests amid the threats posed by COVID-19.

ZINASU Chairperson Takudzwa Ngadziore said: “The first issue that made us unite was the reopening plans. We have resolved to form a taskforce that will investigate and monitor if WHO [World Health Organization] guidelines are being adhered to. We need to hold the government to account for its word and promises.”

Ngadziore said the student taskforce would also engage mobile operators to ensure online learning sites are zero-rated.

He said during their meeting with government officials, they raised the need for universities to have test kits for students and masks, among other issues. They also said institutions being used as quarantine centres should be disinfected before students return.

Ngadziore said even if all conditions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are met, students will still face challenges.

“You must remember that before coronavirus we had another virus in the name of ZANU-PF. There is the governance issue and the economic issue: what will students eat when universities open? [The cost of] bread has gone up; everything is going up. There is the issue of transport and accommodation,” he said.

According to ZimStat, Zimbabwe’s annual inflation rate rose to 676.4% in March, from 540.2% in February, amid a weak exchange rate and food shortages. However, independent experts estimate the rate is closer to 1,000%.

Despite giving universities the nod to reopen, some, such as Lupane State University (LSU), are still being used as quarantine centres and government is struggling to secure alternative facilities.

LSU spokesperson Zwelithini Dlamini said the university would only open after the government moves people housed there, so the university’s reopening will be guided by the relocation.

Dingane Shoko, a student at LSU and an executive member of ZINASU, said even if those being quarantined are relocated, it would be suicidal to reopen the university.

‘Catastrophic’ to allow students to return

“The move to allow the university to be used as a quarantine centre was ill-advised. It will also be catastrophic to allow students to return. There are many issues that need to be addressed. The university does not even have a functioning clinic on campus. You can imagine if one student is infected, we are going to see dead bodies on campus. What is needed is to pour money into e-learning and not to reopen the university,” he said.

“There is a lack of accommodation and overcrowding. A room that could accommodate two students was accommodating eight students.”

Shoko said lecturers were complaining of low remuneration and there was a possibility that even if the institution is reopened, lecturers will not turn up.

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association President Dr Tawanda Zvakada said there was a need for government to revamp state universities to create an environment conducive for learning following the COVID-19 outbreak, but he said universities nonetheless needed to reopen.

“My opinion is that we need to learn to live with COVID-19 because it is going to be with us for some time. While it brings its own trials, it will not be possible to lock down the nation forever. We need to practise preventative measures such as washing hands, wearing masks and social distancing religiously.

“Government also needs to look at the issue of technology. Having internet is no longer a matter of luxury; it is now a necessity.”