GREAT Zimbabwe University suspends learning programmes due to shortage of lecturers

by Staff reporter

2012 May 18 07:39:10 | 2919 Views

GREAT Zimbabwe University (GZU) in Masvingo has reportedly suspended some of its learning programmes due to a shortage of lecturers.

Although authorities at the university could not be drawn into revealing which programmes had been suspended, indications are that some of the programmes suspended had been advertised for this year's intake.

The development is likely to leave hundreds of prospective students stranded.

The university is allegedly failing to attract lecturers for higher degrees due to lower remuneration and unattractive conditions of service.

In a recent interview, the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Obert Maravanyika, said they were facing challenges in attracting lecturers and appealed to the Government to assist.

He said the university had only two professors and less than 10 PhD holders, which was making it difficult for the institution to meet the required standards as a university.

"We are facing challenges in attracting the staff we want. The reason is basically to do with the kind of remuneration that we offer and that remains a cause for concern. We endeavour to maintain high standards of education at our university but our success in this regard hinges on our capacity to raise the bar in terms of conditions of service," said Prof Maravanyika.

He said the institution could not get the staff it wanted because of a myriad of challenges.

"We are supposed to introduce many higher degrees but we have since shelved the idea due to a shortage of qualified lecturers. We are failing to get Deans of Faculties with the requisite qualifications for higher degrees. Those we were looking forward to get have reneged due to low remuneration.

"This is despite a general improvement in our salary structure although there is still more to be done," Prof Maravanyika said.

He said the university had sent some of its teaching staff for further studies abroad, hoping that they would return and teach higher degrees.

"We also have a challenge of inadequate training facilities. We use some facilities from Masvingo Teachers College and that is not healthy for an institution that has the desire to attract highly qualified personnel. The equipment at the campus is almost obsolete while there is also shortage of accommodation," said Prof Maravanyika.

He said the university had entered into partnership with other institutions of higher learning outside the country with the idea of getting part-time lecturers for some faculties.

He, however said that was not a solution as the shortage of lecturers needed a permanent solution.

"We are bound to receive some associate professors from other universities like Venda University in South Africa, which we have partnered with in the discipline of Arts.

"However, this is temporary because these will be visiting professors and not bound to remain with us for the whole semester," Prof Maravanyika said.

University Masvingo GZU

Source: TC