WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THE DECAY?

Broken door with missing glass panes

In a statement posted on Facebook, a former NUST student Rodwell Tendai Nyika said

“As a certified apostle for student emancipation from the yoke of all forms of repression, oppression and academic slavery I was highly besotted to note some empty riposte which was vomited by our former President Luckie Shingi Muza in his capacity as a self-appointed political referee,the co-accused and a supposed hired highly paid human manure cleaner for his for blindfolded former disciple Mark Mubvumba”

His statements sheds light on one of the key bodies or individuals that are at the core of decay in tertiary institutions. The Student Representative Council (SRC) is to blame for most if not all the problems that students face because they don’t live up to their manifestos.

Often the body is riddled by corrupt and power hungry students who don’t have students concerns at heart, all they care about is amassing wealth from misappropriated student funds.

Unrepaired broken windows

The body has constantly been known for abusing funds, “browning” using student funds as well as exploitation of most female students who flock in their numbers wanting a fair share of the “loot”.

This has resulted in the state of the institution deteriorating to a point where it no longer inspire confidence in students. The shabby exterior and interior with broken dysfunctional equipment and leaking pipes has become a common phenomenon at our institution.

 The lecture rooms and theatres are epitomizing the decline of this country's once proud education system, food for thought.

NUST, touted as the Jewel of the country, is slowly acquiring a reputation of the sick man within the vicinity of campus boundaries, at this pace the institution will acquire peculiar inability to get itself out of often self-inflicted difficulties

unrepaired windows

If one is to look at who is to blame for all this this decay it all comes back to a bunch of individuals who have been mandated to represent students but have since retired into the Student Affairs offices where they plan to “squander”

However, what should be done?

• Introduce an all-inclusive administrative method of solving student’s prioritized concerns, especially pertaining to the issue of registration and admission into exams. I want to establish a body that acknowledges that the SRC is a platform for all students and not a podium for a select few. 

• Address all accommodation woes faced by students living outside campus.

• Bring out dynamic entertainment and recreational activities at all levels. I will ensure that there is fair representation on entertainment and recreational activities, especially in dealing with secular entrainment and Christian entertainment.

• Ensure that there is freedom of worship, that there are designated places for worship which will not be disturbed under any circumstance.

• Ensure that there is improved security for students living outside campus.

• Make sure that there is an improved network infrastructure which is not only at the service of the administration but also the students.

• Being visible on the ground and working from a Grass root level whilst also pushing student driven policies at top level. The SRC should be dedicated to building student capacity in all areas

• Provide transparent governance to all students .I understand that students are the heart of the university and I am committed to tackling fundamental student issues whilst representing all student voices.

If these minor problems are addressed properly it leaves room for the body to focus on more important issues