Charity Nkomo
Gender Affairs and Community Reporter
In contemporary times, the notion 50/50 takes precedence in higher and tertiary education evidently by the increment of female students at Universities in the past years.

Unfortunately female students that are married come across a variety set of challenges that often go unnoticed.

Juggling academic demands, wife and household responsibilities is proving to be a daunting task to navigate for most married students at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). In the same vein, these students grapple with societal expectations of marital and maternal roles.

One of the primary challenges faced by married students while pursuing degrees, include but not limited to attending lectures, studying for exams, taking care of children/ spouse and household chores.

An accounting student at NUST who chose anonymity reflects on the challenges she faces as a married woman while pursuing advanced studies. She highlighted the impact of expectations on her marriage.

“When I get home, I’m expected to cook, clean, and care for my children. By the time I finish, I’m too exhausted to open a book,” She said.

She further disclosed the impact of academic stress brought by the marriage life while still in school as she recalls skipping classes to tend to her sick toddler, only to face criticism from lecturers for absenteeism.

“There are days I’m forced to choose between my child’s health and my education. Last semester, I missed two weeks of lectures because my toddler had pneumonia”.

Sibongile Ndlovu, an engineering student also finds herself in a similar predicament but hailed her husband’s stance in navigating the complexities of being a married student.

“He said that we share a roof but live separate lives. Your assignments and deadlines are your real family now.” explained Ndlovu.

For one Media and Journalism Studies student, being married and a mother before finishing your studies has proven to be stressful as she recalls how she missed a critical exam after rushing her unwell daughter to the clinic.

“I had to choose between my child’s life and my future. It broke me,” she said.

Others raised the concern of being single mothers.

“I’m failing as a mother and as a student. My child deserves better,” said Linda Dube.

Moreover, allegations of infidelity among married students have not eased the burden but rather they further strain relationships. Several male students who spoke to this reporter claimed that some wives use University to engage in extra marital affairs with both lectures and students, leading to divorces.

“They forget their vows once they’re on campus,” one male student remarked as if speaking from experience.

Though these claims were disputed by female peers who argued such stereotypes unfairly stigmatize married and older women seeking education. But during investigations it was revealed that Campus marriages—informal unions where students cohabit as couples despite having spouses backhome exists.

“These girls play house wives (campus marriages), get pregnant. It’s irresponsible,” fumed one male student.

Regardless of all these obstacles faced by most married NUST students, they exhibit remarkable resilience and determination in pursuing their educational goals balancing them with societal and conjugal expectations.

In the struggle to fight for inclusiveness and equality in tertiary education, it is important to recognize and address the challenges faced by married female students. They endure criticism,
and daily compromises, often forced to prioritize one aspect of their lives over the other.

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