Open universities, govt urged

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:52:05 +0000

By CHIKUMBI KATEBE

THE Ministry of Higher Education should consider opening the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University and all other institutions of higher learning which have been affected by the cholera outbreak in the country, says National Restoration Party secretary general Ezra Ngulube.

Mr Ngulube said further delays in opening of universities and colleges was denying young people their right to education which would ultimately affect the nation.

“We are demanding that Government consider opening the University of Zambia and the Copperbelt University, and any other higher learning institutions which have been closed due to the cholera outbreak, because what is given as a excuse does not justify the continued closure of the institutions.

“We are only delaying our children from obtaining the higher education they need to contribute positively to the development of this country,” he said.

He explained that claims that the institutions presented contaminated water sources was unjustifiable when the universities shared water supplies with neighbouring communities which have not presented effects of the claimed contamination.

And Mr Ngulube has also called for the immediate reinstatement of the two university unions which were suspected by the minister, that there was no university or college that operated without union representation.

The NAREP leader said the best Prof Luo could do was advise the two unions on better ways of addressing their grievances because students unions have always assisted management in the running of the establishments.

He said the minister should provide legal guidelines for the operations of the unions and insist the leadership adhered to the laid down procedures instead of banning union activities at learning institutions.