‘Re-opening universities good move’

THE Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has praised Government for re-opening the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University.
In March this year, students from the two universities protested over delayed payment of meal allowances which led to the closure of the institutions by the Minister of Higher Education Micheal Kaingu.
And ZANEC has further commended Government for rescinding its earlier decision to suspend the meal allowances for students on Government bursaries.
In a statement posted on Facebook, ZANEC executive director Grace Manyonga implored Government to call student unions and other stakeholders to a meeting that will bring lasting solutions the higher institutions are facing.
“We further call on both the Ministry of Higher Education and the Students Union’s to initiate a periodic platform through which they can dialogue on issues affecting higher education in particular and education in general and not wait until there is a crisis,” Ms Manyonga said.
She furthermore thanked Parliament for the introduction of the Student Loan and Scholarship Scheme Bill will be presented to the house before the dissolution of the current Parliament.
And Ms Manyonga also called for the improvement of infrastructure and other needy areas affecting the higher learning institutions.
“As a Coalition that works for the promotion to accessing quality education for all in the country, ZANEC calls upon the Ministry of Higher Education and successive governments to pay particular attention to needy areas affecting higher learning institutions such as the deplorable infrastructure and continued timely payment of lecturer’s salaries,” she said.