Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
In 2024, the gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education (both sexes) was 8%.
Tuition-free status
Public higher education is not tuition-free in Zimbabwe. However, the government may cap student fees in government-owned institutions. The fees of private colleges are not controlled by the government.
Governance
The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development (MHTEISTD) is mainly responsible for the administration, policy, financing and direct oversight of all public universities. The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) is responsible for institutional accreditation and quality assurance, which includes advising on the budgeting and funding arrangements for higher education for public institutions and promoting equity in access to higher education through the provision of student financing assistance programmes.
The MHTEISTD’s role in financing tertiary education is contingent upon the performance of the National Treasury which ultimately determines budget performance. Line ministries only access a small fraction of their approved budgets by close of the financial year.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Public universities and technical colleges are financed directly by the central government through the relevant line ministry, MHTEISTD. Such financing is on the basis of per capita grants, though funding for infrastructure development tends to be targeted.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
Higher education is provided by state and private institutions, both of which are regulated by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE). ZIMCHE provides grants to higher education institutions to assist them in specific projects, scholarships, and in training staff through an established Higher Education Fund, as stipulated in the 2006 Council for Higher Education Act.
Allocation and equity
No funding formula to public universities and colleges with an equity component was found. Allocations for public institutions are usually based on per capita grants reflecting the number of students enrolled.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
There are no specific admission criteria or quota for marginalized groups at the national level, with admission criteria based on merit (high ‘A’ Level passes). However, most public universities have facilities that ensure those living with disabilities are not excluded from enrollment purely based on their condition. For example, the University of Zimbabwe, the oldest university in the country, has a disability center where students with special needs are supported.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Currently, merit-based scholarships are offered at the higher education level to support disadvantaged students, particularly those from rural areas, in accessing tertiary education. These tertiary education scholarships cover a range of fields, including health sciences, engineering, agriculture, sports science, and social sciences.
Zimbabwe's Cadetship Support Scheme is a government programme introduced in 2006 to fund higher education for undergraduate students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds in response to high brain drain and the removal of grants and loans. Under the scheme, the government (through the Ministry of Finance) transfers a lump sum to respective higher education institutions to cover student tuition, food, and accommodation in exchange for a bonded service period after graduation.
The EduLoan facility is a funding instrument that connects parents, students and educational institutions with financial institutions such as banks by offering study loans. In 2019, the Higher and Tertiary Education Loan Scheme was established, which aims to to assist current and prospective students who do not have the financial resources to support their college or university education. Four banks and two micro-finance lending institutions cover half the budget, with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe covering the balance.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
There is no explicit support for student transportation through the government-supported scheme. Students use the public transport system owned and operated by private operators to access universities and colleges.
Accommodation
The Cadetship Support Scheme covers tuition fees, food and accommodation expenses for students from poor backgrounds who qualify for the scheme. Loans administered by banks also cover student accommodation expenses. However, this scheme does not benefit all students, with many relying on family support to rent private lodgings in areas surrounding the campuses to avoid extra transport costs.
Textbooks
There is no explicit support for student textbooks through the government-supported scheme.
This profile has been reviewed by national expert Dr. Moses Chundu.
