Some students at Lupane State University (LSU) are reportedly missing classes due to a shortage of teaching staff.
Both conventional and block students commenced their new semester on Monday.
However, reports indicate a lecturer shortage in Lupane, with most teaching block classes in Bulawayo.
“The university recruited first-year students without informing the teaching staff,” said a source. “As a result, the first years are stuck at the university in Lupane with no one teaching them, as the lecturers are currently teaching in Bulawayo.”
Some lecturers informed students about a directive limiting them to teaching only three classes.
“Unfortunately, I have some sad news to share with the group,” a lecturer explained. “I am no longer your lecturer due to a directive from the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) stating that we can only teach a maximum of three classes. For example, if we consider the Waste Management module, which consists of block and conventional classes, along with a parallel class, these are now considered three separate classes.”
“In my case, I have already exceeded the three-class limit, having taught Waste Management (block class), a 2:2 class, and a Natural Resources class,” the lecturer continued. “The class representative should approach the chairperson to inform them about the lack of lecturers. While we can be compelled to come under the chairperson’s directive, the current situation raises concerns about your ability to prepare for exams in March without proper instruction.”
“Previously, I taught four modules, which translates to eight classes considering both block and conventional formats. With the two block classes, this effectively means four classes. Since we are only allowed three, one class will be left without a lecturer. This is a significant issue with no clear solution at present,” the lecturer added.
“I am currently in Bulawayo and will only come to Lupane for project-related matters,” they stated. “As for your lecturers, I’m unsure what to do as the directive strictly emphasizes a three-class teaching limit.”
“We were informed that the Ministry will be hiring temporary lecturers, but most are not interested in the positions. The university attempted to shortlist candidates, but there are currently no available options,” they further explained.
“Your class is not alone in this situation. Many classes lack lecturers and may remain so until exam time. The sooner your class representative approaches the chairperson, the sooner a resolution can be reached,” they concluded.
Contacted for comment, the University’s Director of Communications, Densen Kulube, could not immediately confirm the directive regarding the three-class teaching limit. However, he stated, “Every registered student at the university has access to lecturers.”
