TOWARDS A FRAMEWORK FOR MOULDING STUDENT LEADERSHIP IN HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS FOR A CHANGING AND DYNAMIC TERRAIN IN QUEST FOR CREATING SUSTAINABLE FUTURES IN ZIMBABWE

Abstract

This study intends to develop and introduce a framework that can be used in Zimbabwe‘s higher education institutions in moulding student leadership that suit the changing dynamics of these institutions. In a bid to know how the terrain and dynamics are changing in higher education institutions, the role of student leadership, and the strategies being implemented to foster student leadership, this study therefore seeks to develop a framework that guides the development of student leadership and enforce it in a sustainable manner that leads to the fulfilment of the needs of students as well the good governance of higher education institutions. The adoption of a student leadership framework includes certain policies such as the Student Representative Council (SRC), which governs or regulates student leadership on campus. Moulding student leadership implies the introduction of a methodology or concept that can be employed to achieve the required results. Hence, the aim of this study is to proffer a leadership framework for higher education institutions. The study used desktop analysis to gather and analyse the qualitative information presented in this document. The results indicated that a framework is significant for strengthening student leadership in Zimbabwe. A framework proved important for the proper development of leadership skills in students as well as providing the legal foundation on how functional it can be through policies guiding it. It can be argued that though a framework can be drafted and introduced to these institutions, without enforcement, it is meaningless. It can be argued that the framework is the way to go towards the empowerment of student leaders in school governance and the expected leadership that will result in sustainability of higher education institutions regardless of the current changes. The study recommends enforcement of a leadership framework and the assessment of the success of the framework in moulding student leaders.