The management of Lúrio University (UniLúrio), in Nampula, has announced that tuition fees will be waived during the period when classes are not being held. The measure comes after the announcement of a peaceful demonstration by the students of the after-work courses at the Faculty of Health Sciences of that higher education institution in northern Mozambique.

"The management of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Lúrio University would like to inform all after-school students that they are exempt from paying tuition fees for the period during which classes were not held. After the resumption of classes, payment must be made in accordance with the normal schedule," reads an official note from the management released last Friday (25), but which, curiously, was signed on April 4 by the Faculty's director.

According to a Rigor newspaperThe demonstration was called by students from the General Nursing, Clinical Psychology and Health Administration and Management courses, who plan to march on five separate days - April 28, May 5, 12 and 19.

In letters sent to the Faculty's management, the Nampula City Council, the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) and the University Rectory, the students expressed their indignation at the collection of tuition fees in March and April, despite the absence of classes.

"We decided to hold a peaceful demonstration to demand our rights, since classes should have started in March and, to this day, the students on the above-mentioned courses are still without classes. In addition, we were forced to register and pay the tuition fees for March and April, even though there was no teaching activity. The management, knowing about the absence of classes, continued to charge," the students denounced in a letter.

The management's decision to suspend the collection of tuition fees for the period without classes is interpreted as an attempt to respond to student demands. However, so far it is unclear whether, given this new position by the institution, the students will suspend the agenda of demonstrations initially announced.

(Photo DR)