Name: rufaro kabasa

Reg number: r191155D

Topic: In-depth analysis of student’s union promoting student’s access at Zimbabwe Ezekiel
Guti University.
Chapter 1.
1.1 Introduction
Despite students being important stakeholders at the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU),
they are facing various challenges in accessing student services. Altbach, (2014) revealed that in
the 21st century, in the era of massification, students are often seen as burdens, customers, or
sources of income, but seldom as the key rationale for the university. ZEGU administrative
incapacity have consequently failed to provide access to student services such as academic
support services, medical services, career counselling services and accommodation services.
Over the years, the subject of student services at ZEGU has been broadly neglected. Omari and
Mihyo (1991:14) posit that universities lack sense of urgency and caring and thus students feel
that, “the only way to get things done and attract attention to their plight is to protest,
demonstrate, boycott classes, and attack significant figures”. ZEGU have also lacked sense of
urgency in addressing students’ challenges in accessing student services which gave rise of
students union as a voice to the voiceless in pursuit of promoting access to student services. The
study was carried to examine the role of students unions in facilitating access to student services
at ZEGU and to provide more information on the role of students union as few scholars have put
their interest on the impact of these unions.

1.2 Background of the Study.

Globally, Klemenčič (2012:4) notes that in the early twentieth century, some of the oldest still-
existing national representative student associations were created by congregations of university
student organisations (e.g. UNEF France 1907; UNEL Luxembourg 1920; NUS-UK 1922). Their
aim was to aggregate the student voice nationally, organize student participation in both the
domestic public sphere and in international cooperation; at the same time university-based
organisations continued to play an important part in student life, offered various student services,
but had limited rights in the professoriate-dominated governance structures (Ibid, 2012). The
Student Union Development Handbook (SUDH), (2009) notes that between 2006 and 2008 the
European Students’ Union has been conducting assessments of the student movements in
countries where a certain model of student representation has not succeeded to establish itself,
such as Turkey, Kosovo, Armenia or Moldova. ACUI identified the goal of a union was to
develop students and their intellects (Associations of College Unions International, 2015).

Regionally, Zuokemefa and Sese (2015) posit that the wind of Student Unionism began to blow
in West Africa in 1925 with the formation of West African Students Union (WASU) by Ladipo
Sholanke who was schooling in London. WASU campaigned against colonial exploitation,
political repression, racism, and social inequalities in West African colonies through the
instruments of books, newspaper articles, magazines and public enlightenments programs etc.
which gradually led to the political independence of most West African States (Ezera 1990).
Luescher et al. (2014) notes that after Africa’s ‘second liberation’ some universities shifted from
a government-controlled bureaucratic to a more democratic collegial model of university
governance, which naturally accommodates student representation and typically also provides
for the existence of representative student associations. This ensures that student representation is
extended across all institutions on the level of institutional governing bodies and their committee
structures, and on system level in bodies such as the boards of the National Student Financial Aid
Scheme (Ibid, 2014).

Nationally, soon after the first decade into independence the monopolised government of
Zimbabwe become corrupt, diverging from socialist tenets and ignoring students’ academic
interest which results students-government hitherto cordial relationship to wax cold. It was felt
by the students that one party ideology led to a cult of personality, politics domination,
inefficiency, corruption and primitive accumulation (Chibango & Kajau, 2010:32).
Consequently, the formation of the first political opposition party in 1989, the Zimbabwe Unity
Movement (ZUM), against government intentions gave students the enthusiasm to form their
own students’ organisation in representation of their interest. Makunike (2014) notes that the
increase of student activism after independence Zimbabwe gave birth to the formation of
Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), becoming the first national students union after
independence. ZINASU came into existence with the zeal to lobby with the government and
tertiary institutions advocating for good governance, uphold of students’ rights, academic support
service, and financial aid service.

Institutionally, during the first decade after independence, the University of Zimbabwe proved to
be different from the University of Rhodesia as it tended to address students with respect and
care. Makunike (2014) notes that the University of Zimbabwe Act 27 of 1982 provided for the
establishment of an association of students to be known as the ‘Students Union’; the aim and
objectives of the union were to provide for the representation of students in matters that affected
their interests both as individuals and as a body in the pursuit of academic freedom. Thereafter,
other universities were formed across Zimbabwe such as ZEGU which latter idolised the
existence of students unions as a means to grant right to education to all citizens in the country as
prescribed by the constitution.
1.3 Problem statement
Kasayira et al (2007:24) revealed poor hygiene and sanitation, submission of Vocational Training
Loan [VTL] forms, poor service at dining hall, student affairs related problems as common
stressors faced by Midlands State University Students. At ZEGU the administration is enrolling
many students whom it cannot offer quality standard accommodation services. The ZEGU
officials are failing to provide proper residential facilities which are designed to support
residential students in improving their academic abilities. Students are failing to access internet
services in resident’s halls which are supposed to advance their studies after physical lectures.
Students are complaining about power cuts at nights which have increase high number of theft in
residents’ halls. There have been complaints about unhygienic-shared toilets in residents which
have compromised their health status making them vulnerable to communicable diseases such as
Urinary Tract Infection. Currently students are feeling uncomfortable living on campus resident’s
halls as the accommodation environment is not conducive to support their academic goals and
success. Most students end up acquiring accommodation in suburbs where there are exposed to
high security risk and theft.

1.4 Research proposition

If Students union performs its role in promoting access to student services, students can have
access to student services.

1.5 Objectives of the study

The research aims at achieving the following:
• To examine the challenges affecting access to student services at the
Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University.
• To examine the role of students union in facilitating access to student
services.
• To identify the extent which students union have manage to promote
access to student services
• To identify obstacles faced by student unions in promoting access to
student services
• To come up with strategies that students union can implement to enhance
access to student services.

1.6 Research Questions

• What are the challenges affecting access to student services at the
Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University?
• What is the role of students union in facilitating access to student services?
• To what extent has students union managed to promote access to student
services?
• What are the challenges faced by student unions in promoting access to
student services?
• What strategies can be implemented by students union to enhance access
to student services?

1.7 Justification of the study

Students are valuable stakeholders of the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University. The study assisted
to reveal challenges faced by students at ZEGU on the access of student services such as
academic support services. There is a gap in the literature on the role of students union in
promoting access to student services at ZEGU. Consequently, this study was aimed to fill gaps,
advance and disseminate knowledge about the role of students union in promoting access to
these services. The research was significant in addressing the weakness of the Structural
Functional Theory as it built a Mobile Structural Functional Model which emphasises students
unions to be flexible to the fast changing world and being able to perform their functions of
promoting access to student services as expected by the social system. The study was of greater
importance as it establish a deeper understanding on the relationship between students union and
access to student services. Lastly, this study provided ways that can be adopted by students union
to enhance access to student services.

1.8 Delimitations
The fundamental rationale lying within the scope of the research was on the role of students
union in promoting access to student services at ZEGU therefore, the study mainly focused on
the challenges faced by ZEGU students in accessing student services and the role of students
union in promoting access to these services.

1.9 limitations
The study was limited only to key informants at the ZEGU. Core focus of the researcher was
centred on the role of students union in promoting access to student services at ZEGU. In in-
depth interviews some informants hardly provided information fearing to be victimised for
condemning the university poor performance in providing student services. The Zimbabwe
Ezekiel Guti University is a private sector institution with a bureaucratic nature associated with
red tape which hindered the researcher to obtain information from the student affairs officials.

1.10 Methodology
1.10.1 Introduction
According to Franklin (2012) methodology refers to the research strategy that outlines the way in
which research is to be undertaken and, among other things, identifies the methods to be used in
it. World Bank (2007) notes that, research methodology relates to the tools and techniques used
in a research process. This section presented the research design, target population, sampling
procedures, information collecting instruments, information collecting methods. Ethical
consideration, delimitation and limitations affecting the study are also presented.

1.10.2 Research design

Leedy (1997:195) defines research design as a plan for a study, providing the overall framework
for collecting data. In order to examine the role of students union in promoting access to student
services at ZEGU, a qualitative methodology was applied. Qualitative research design was to be
adopted by the researcher, because it helped the researcher to study students union in their
natural setting and have a deeper understanding of their role in promoting student services. A
case of Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University was used to obtain detailed information on the role of
students union in promoting access to student services. Saunders (2001) defines case study as a
strategy for doing research which involves an empirical investigation of a particular phenomenon
with its real life context using sources of evidence. A case study was used because it had
strengths in being able to capture wider specific details and provide accuracy information on the
role of students union in promoting access to student services. The main advantage of using the
case study was that it allowed the researcher to use multiple information collecting methods such
as in-depth interviews and semi-structured questionnaires survey that provided great amount of
description.
1.10.3 Targeted Population
Murimba and Moyo (1995) define a population as any group of individuals that have one or
more characteristics in common that are of interest to the researcher. The study population
included students and their union leaders at ZEGU. The targeted population revealed the
information to the researcher on the challenges they are facing as students in accessing student
services and the role that students unions are playing in providing access to these services.
1.10.4 Sampling Technique
Non probability sampling was used to select respondents in this study. The researcher employed
convenience sampling technique to select sample elements. Farrokhi (2012) agree with Dornyei
(2007:87) as he defines convenience sampling “as a kind of non-probability or non-random
sampling in which members of the target population are selected for the purpose of the study if
they meet certain practical criteria, such a geographical proximity, availability at a certain time,
easy accessibility, or the willingness to volunteer.” The study employed convenience sampling
because elements (students and students’ union representatives) were readily available at ZEGU.
The researcher selected 35 sample elements were available and willing to participate from
ZINASU and ZICOSU, the two main student bodies. Convenience sampling was applied to safe
guard the ethical consideration in respect that participants only provide their information relating
to the study voluntarily.
1.10.5 Research Instruments
1.10.5.1 In-depth Interviews
Meurer (2007) notes that qualitative data uses observation, interviews and documentary review
as sources of data. For the purpose of collecting detailed information on the role of students
union in promoting access to student services at ZEGU, the researcher employed in-depth
interviews. An interview guide was used for this purpose. The researcher interviewed a total
number 15 booked in-depth interviews. Open ended questions were asked to key informants to
provide a free room for students and student union representatives to air their opinions on the
challenges they are facing in accessing student services and role of student unions in promoting
access to these services. In-depth interviews helped the researcher to have an understanding of
students and student union representatives’ feelings, attitudes and beliefs over the role of student
unions. The researcher gauged on the role of student unions in promoting student services at
ZEGU by judging the gestures and facial expressions made by students and student union
representatives during one-on-one interviews. In-depth interviews were employed during the
study as to have access to wealth of information and the researcher to record and transcribe the
interviews for further analysis.

1.10.5.2 Semi-structured Questionnaires

Semi-structured questionnaire survey was administered to the participants to respond to the
questions asked on the role of student union in promoting student services at ZEGU. Through the
use of semi-structured questionnaire survey all participants answered similar questions which
helped in the information analysis process. The researcher administered 20 semi-structured
questionnaires to the participants during the survey. Convenience sampling was applied to select
participants who were willing to answer the semi-structured questionnaires during the survey.
Students were given adequate time to respond to the semi-structured questionnaire survey at their
own free time without pressure and with fresh minds which however produced more explanatory
information and helped the researcher to develop knowledge and understanding on the role of
students union in promoting access to student services.
1.10.6 Thematic analysis
Ibrahim (2012:40) notes that thematic analysis was used to analyse classifications and present
themes (patterns) that related to the data. After the researcher had gathered information in large
volumes on the role of students union from the in-depth interviews the researcher used thematic
analysis to classify and present information into themes. As the information was gathered in large
volumes with different themes, thematic analysis was then used to narrow down the information
in to the main themes relating to this study. Through thematic analysis the researcher managed to
determine replicated information given by different key informants.
1.10.7 Ethical consideration
Informed consent was considered before collecting the information, ensuring students and
students’ union representatives voluntarily participate. Confidentiality was crucial to this
research and every informant was guaranteed privacy. The researcher applied ethical
consideration by employing haphazard sampling technique to pick elements that were willing to
participate

Chapter summary
This was an introduction chapter that introduced the whole study expect for literature review and
theoretical framework. It looked at the background of the study, problem statement, research
proposition, research objectives and questions were outlined. The chapter further looked at
justification, methodology, delimitation and limitations. The next chapter discussed the literature
on the role of student unions and theories. The following Chapter the researcher examined the
literature on the role of students union in promoting access to student services.