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Nokutenda Chiyangwa and Andrew Muvishi
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has directed banks to facilitate access to foreign currency by students studying abroad to enable them pay fees and other expenses. According to a statement by the chairperson of the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Industry and Commerce, Cde Kindness Paradza, released last week, the directive follows reports that the students were facing challenges, especially those in Cyprus.

Some of them are reportedly now engaging in criminal activities like drug trafficking and prostitution.

“The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, Industry and Commerce is advising all parents, guardians or relatives with children studying abroad and who are facing challenges in accessing foreign currency for tuition and other ancillary fees, that they should approach their respective banks for assistance.

“The directive from the RBZ has already been given to all local banks to prioritise this matter,” said Cde Paradza. The committee engaged the RBZ last year.

This followed reports that students studying in Cyprus were stranded after failing to access foreign currency to pay for tuition and food. At least three Zimbabwean students have been jailed in northern Cyprus for drugs related offences.

“Prior to its meeting with the Governor John Mangudya, Parliament, through the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs, had held several meetings with Government officials and various other stakeholders to try and find a lasting solution to a myriad of challenges related to disbursement of tuition fees of Zimbabwean scholars studying abroad,” said Cde Paradza.

A number of students intending to study abroad have fallen prey to dubious recruiting agencies that offer them fake university scholarships which result in them being stranded once they are in the foreign lands.