GOVERNMENT has put in place a number of measures to ensure students at tertiary institutions struggling with payment of fees do not drop out. The measures are in line with the ZANU PF 2018 People's Manifesto which undertook to provide safety nets for students coming from underprivileged backgrounds. Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Cde Aaron Murwira said some of the measures introduced include government backed student loans and reduction of tuition fees for students on attachment. “The State must take all practical measures to promote access to higher and tertiary education. In this regard, the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development has created safety nets to protect vulnerable students currently pursuing their studies in various education and training institutions through the Government backed Student Loan Facility and University student vacation part-time employment arrangements and Midlands State University are doing very well in this regard," Cde Murwira said. "Furthermore, the Government has reduced tuition fees for students on industrial attachment and teaching practice "The objective of providing the Government backed Student Loan Facility is to ensure that no student is left behind. The loan facility is available and I do not know of any student who has applied and was denied the loan. Therefore, as a Ministry, we are not expecting any drop outs since Government has created a fall back plan through the Government backed student loan facility."