Harare - About 100 Zimbabwean university students marched on Tuesday to protest "exorbitant" fees at state colleges, calling for tuition costs to be slashed as low as $20 per semester.

"Tuition fees in universities are ranging from $400 to $700. These fees are exorbitant and beyond the reach of the majority who are supported by peasants and civil servants," the Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) said in a petition handed to the minister for higher education.

"Tuition fees must be slashed to affordable levels ranging between $20-100."

Zinasu also called on the government to restore grants and medical aid to assist students in the country's universities.

"There is massive shortage of teaching and learning materials in all institutions due to inadequate funding by the government," it said.

Zimbabwe's education sector was hit by the country's economic collapse and political chaos following disputed polls last year, with the UN children's agency declaring the country's schools a "national disaster" earlier this year.

Tertiary institutions were also affected with several, including the flagship University of Zimbabwe, forced to close their doors for months.

Poverty is high in Zimbabwe where most government workers earn an average salary of $150, following the formation of a unity government in February. Unemployment is running at 94%.

By SAPA