Degree programmes at Nkrumah and Copperbelt Teachers Colleges on the way

1. Wait a minute! I am sure I have heard this speech before – yes, in 1984. I was a student at Nkrumah then. There was even a proposal to change the name to Nkrumah College of Education. The speech was given in Mumuni Hall(at the college)by the then President DR. Kenneth Kaunda during one of his visits to the college. Thie only difference this time aroung, the speech is given before a private school. I am sure this is a ‘big’ surprise to college administration.The announcement aside, key to offering degree progammes is infrastructure development. The current state of infrastructure at the two colleges does not support the idea of a University College.Let us see infrastructure development first.

   • finally’it is done’this is 2012 and it is all thanks to you who posted positive posts to rise the issue 
     even more than just been talked.congratulations all.

2. Hi Chiandafkaunda you must be out of your mind. Its gone happened. What do you think can stop it?

3. Ba Kalima #2
   Higher education is backed up by infrastructure and qualified personel. This country has a rampant shortage of qualified manpower in many sectors including education. You dont just wake up and say let us start up degree programes. Such things goes with intensive and careful planning. The Zambia education system is now below average standards. LPM should first tell the nation what measures he has sput in place to facilitate for programes like this one. The idea is good and long overdue but needs a strong backbone. For your own information NEVER TRUST A POLITICIAN.

4. rubbish, mwanawasa went to a fund raising dance for a private sku, chengelo has money already. i doubt it if he wud go to a tunduya basic school

5. Kalima # 2, I am not against the idea. All I was pointing out was that this idea was first proposed in 1984(ask any student at Nkrumah). It is just ‘resurrecting’ now, 24 years later. The question, Kalima, should be why such a seemingly good idea ‘died’. The answer to this question will, most likely, if not whooly, point to lack of infrastructure. Nkrumah, the first of our Secondary Teacher’s College, has a 1 x 3 classroom block (primary school type), a double storey block of 6 classes, a library – the size of a standard house, a colleg hall and dining hall and an administration block. COSETCO is even smaller. Much as we are excited by the idea (I have been since I first heard this 24yrs ago

6. Cont’d from # 5…., the actual and ultimate implementation of this pronouncement depends on what infrastructure will be put in place. From our experiences (as Zambians) from ‘rushed’ political announcements is the word DISASTOR when it comes to infrastructure development. To date, all the infrastructure in our school, with the exception of a few modifications and ‘additions’ is what KK left. Our politicians are just good at opening ‘new universities’ at old colleges. When you change the name of a building, you have not created anything new – it is still OLD.

7. who will confer the DEGREES? collges themselves or some particular university?

8. bullsit ! mpheeeeeuw

9. MWANAWASA AND SCISSORS SHOULD FIX THE POWER PROBLEM OR ELSE I WILL NOT COME TO ZAMBIA….

10. Can someone highlght us on expelled PF-MPS

11. #1, I also heard this in 1984 when I was a student at Chainama College of Health Sciences. “The school was in the process of affiliating itself to UNZA.” It is now 24 years later and those plans are still on the drawing board! Otherwise, I welcome the plans for COSETCO and Nkrumah, I had always seen a retrogressive system at play for all Zambian College graduates.

12. #1,#11 and the rest who have contributed so far. What then could have caused this 24 yr period of no activity on the issue? Could it be the Chiluba Administration in which Chiluba was not a university graduate and Sata Chilufya Micheal was not on too?
    For arguments’ sake, if Sata’s PF with him at the helm is to pick it up, right now or in the near future, from President Mwanawasa, do you think there could be progress on this very cardinal issue?
    Could it be that Pres. Mwanawasa had nothing new to say and therefore just had to use something that was used before by Pres. Kaunda?

13. MY BROTHERS LET US HOPE FOR THE BEST THIS TIME AROUIND.ALL THESE COLLEGES CAN OFFER DEGREE PROGRAMMES NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.WE HAVE ALOT OF QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN ZAMBIA TODAY TO IMPART KNOWLEDGE FIRST AND FOREMOST .INFRUSTRUCTURE TOO NEEDS UPGRADING SINCE WE ALWAYS PAY NO ATTENTION TO MAINTAINANCE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.

14. Rubbish degrees will be the outcome from such institutions that have no infrastructure. I guess Levy’s PhD has contaminated his small brain.

15. Can anyone who been passed through the school of education at UNZA and other colleges confirm to me if the kind of education we have in the country can produce a thinking and forward looking independent Zambian able to COMPETE favourable with other nations on the global market?

16. #15. Of course yes. The education system, like any other system, has always existed in Zambia. However, every system requires proper beefing up, or proping as it works. For instance, roads need widening to get to motor way level (three lanes each way); Sewage treatment plants need upgrading as the number of people increase in a particular city; and the list can go on. Meaning, everything we do in life follows a particular pattern. If you fail to do that, signs of failire may take long to resurface. When they do, it could be too late.

17. As far as education is concerned, most educated Zambians are working abroad mainly because Zambia does not want them. I can name 10 Engineering Lecturers, all with PhDs, working abroad. For as long as piliticians continue to manilulate these professionals, Zambia will always be a shadow of it’s former glory. Kaunda meant well to give us the education; eeee, he over stayed, but look at what MMD – or shall I say the educated leaders have done to Zambia. Very soon, Zambians with a first degree will not be allowed in UK universities! Eeee, I mean why is it that a Degree with Credit stuggles to get a place in a UK University? International equivalencies for Zambia is just getting poorer.

18. The answers to your question, # 15 is yes. Our institutions are capable and have produced Zambian Professionals of the highest calibre. This is evidenced by the number of Zambian professionals who command top positions, from the IMF to universities world over. At one time, KK’s education system set up was the best in Africa and people flocked from all over to come and ‘learn’ at UNZA, Nkrumah, COCETCO, the the ZIT and NORTEC. What has gone wrong is the little or no attention that the current crop of politicians pay to education. After KK, education has never been a priority to these politicians. They have been more preoccupied with lining their pockets and enhancing their selfish agendas.

19. So go on Levy, degrees from Nkurumah with infrustructure worth of a refugee camp. They say a journey for a 1000 miles begins with a step; and that step must be in a right direction. Zambia has not even taken a step. Politicians keep spending on useless things such as the NCC, MP gratuity, car loans, and the like. Look at your roads, too many cars, 1 lane going each way. No electricity yet 40% of all water in southern africa is on your door step. Even God will never forgive you people. When all the natural resources go, then you will wake-up. merci

20. #18 thanks!! amazing, like we were talking to each other while typing.

21. Chamina Bakolwe, I guess we had a meeting of minds on this issue. I just posted my comments only to find yours witha similar analogy.

22. Well said #18.

23. #18…you are right to the core. And just a small fact to add, there are only two universities in Zambia for 10 million people! The fact that one makes it to either one of these institutions against such odds, coupled with surviving the exams, speaks loads of the capabilities of such an individual. I personally know of Zambians from UNZA who came to Europe (at different timnes) on scholarship for their MSc’s, graduated tops, and are now working in top positions in Europe. One of them, a woman, was classified a genius in a school mag at her university.

24. we zambians are inteligent beyond doubts and very dedicated to work.What I cant understand is that, we have our own educated politicians in the govt who have become so stupid not even to recognise it is their education pipo thought they can deliver their promises during campaigns. No wonder one philosopher said too much of education makes a person stupid and foolish.Does education make us more blind and crued when we enter politics?We are now becoming immunined to lies of our president. how many promises made and never fulfilled? Lies before six and b4 midnight. 23 you totally right as well as #18

25. #15 ( I am # 11), having graduated from CCHS, I entered into the B.Sc. programme in a U.S. school several years later. I was one of the three students with highest grade average points (GPA). We were three (apparently all from Africa). A Zimbabwean and a Cameroonian. This was in the sciences and to answer your question Zambia has high standard in education but govt and some school officials (universities) have monopolized education limiting success or progress of individuals from colleges who are systematically inhibited from advancement.

26. I think the most prudent thing the government should have done was to put these two colleges under Mulungushi and Copperbelt universities respectively but remain as schools of education.

27. # 26, the two institutions are actually part of the University of Zambia system. All the diplomas at the two institutions, including TVTC in Luanshya, are conferred by the University of Zambia. I am sure such degrees, if introduced, will still be conferred by UNZA. The point of contention, in this case is, is whether the infrastructure capacity at the two institutions is adequate to warrant the introduction of degree courses and to accomodate the increased student enrolment that is envisaged is enough. As things stand, the answer to this question is a big NO.

28. I agree with everyone who has questioned whether the said institutions have the infrastructure to host meaningful degree programs. Gentlemen, the fact is we have no education standards (at least in government funded institutions) to talk about. It is wrong to measure standards by how some of our graduates from say the local universities perform abroad. First, our education system is so bad that those that graduate are not a true reflection of the system. In fact, those that graduate do so against so many odds ( surely that can’t be said to be high standards) and to me, it is only to be expected that if exposed to a good education system, we all just excel. For your own information, only 5-10

29. 28 contd:
    only 5-10% or thereabout make it into institutions of higher learning in Zambia. These should by design be the creme de la creme ( the best that the nation has). And they cannot be the gauge for our education standards. I would rather you took an average school leaver (not the cream) and measure from there. Then you realise just how rotten our systems have become. I summary, our education standards have been going downhill for years. Invest in infrastructure and manpower development and retention, before you turn institutions into half-baked universities.

30. Zedian,
    before you question Zambia’s education standards, first of all you have to ask yourself why so many students from Botswana which is far better than economically than Zambia flock all the way to Zambian boarding schools to seek better education. Zambia’s education curriculum is one of the best in Southern Africa. The other country that competes with Zambia in terms of education is South Africa, and South Africa has got the infrastructure. You have to ask yourself how someone who copies notes from the board and is taking 8 subjects manages to get 6 points out of 6 subjects and manages to get out of 8 subjects atleast 7 (1’s) and 1 (2) just so they can get a place at UNZA or CBU.

31. cont…
    You have to ask yourself how a student who’s teacher only comes to class maybe once a week manages to get very high marks while someone who goes to a private school and has everything at their disposal manages to pass, but on Zambian standards, it is considered a fail. Education is good in Zambia, we just lack infrastructure, we need libraries, new classrooms, more teachers, better schools, more books, free education, more universities to support the growing population. Enterprenuership workshops so Zambians can be motivated to start their own companies and take control of the economy instead of leaving it in the hands of foreign investors…

32. cont…
    lower interest rates so Zambians can be more willing to borrow money, lower taxes and tax breaks for local investors. More access to funds. Supporting individuals who have got a good business plan, Job fairs at universities and colleges,etc. But the most important thing Zambia needs is good education and the gov’t needs to pay more attention to the education sector. Remember, its not the governments duty to create jobs unless they are civil jobs, but its the governments duty to create an environment for job creation. This can be done by good fiscal and monetary policy which only favors foreign rather than local investors at the moment which is sad.

33. Fellow bloggers slow down a bit, scratch your damn heads and think twice . The current education system is nothing to be proud of. Yes there was a time when things were super and everyone from the sub region were flocking to Zed for education. Over the period of time the education system in Zambia has slackened – rampant strikes of teachers which has made pupils to resort to lickages which the govmnt has failed to control, mass exodus of teachers, those who have remained have no zeal and motivation to teach;you know the reason, an average classroom has 60 children in public schools,no meaninful research in our two univesities due to lack of funding the list is endless.

34. Crazy_Zambian, #30-32:

    Try to differentiate between the ability of students and the standards of education. I have not said anything about ability of students. The students who come from Botswana to study in Zambia are those whose expatriate parents can’t afford or are unwilling to pay the newly introduced school fees. These include our own Zambians working in Botswana. A simple question I want to put to you is this: how can you seriously expect our education standard to be better than Botswana’s when

    1) Botswana has all the infrastructure;
    2) Botswana has attracted all the best teachers, including from our own Zambia;
    3) Botswana does not have teachers who are on strike for a large

35. #34 continued:
    part of the year?
    By the way, are you aware that when most students don’t do well in grade 12, ECZ adjusts the passing scores? What is known as a curve, in some circles. Get me right, I am a proud Zambian who went through the Zambian school system and have seen the education systems of Botswana ( which you give as an example), England and the US. We have a long way to go.

36. #33, Mr Pensulo, Thanks!

    I ask all bloggers here: how many of the bloggers here would if given a choice want to send their children to our government schools in Zambia? How many would look for a decent private school? And ask why? How can you claim to have high standards when:
    1) Teachers are on strike most of the year;
    2) Schools are not well funded;
    3) The system is designed to get rid of most of the students
    (think grade 8, grade 10, and going into UNZA or college);

    Ladies and gentlemen, when we say education standards are bad, we are not saying that Zambians are dull. It seems the ‘blind’ patriotism here is stemmimg from this misunderstanding.

37. Are rampant leakages also an integral part of high education standards?

38. The introduction of degree courses is not a bad idea after all? very soon zambia shall become another nigeria flooded with useless degrees that cannot get you a job not even in your own country? Ba mwisho is in his last term..the idea will die out once he lives office. We have to ensure that things are done in proper manner. for instance nursing degrees being offered in zambia under the school of medicine?

39. we shall wait and see what happens…it’s a very good idea.

40. Very good idea.Go LPM we want an educated pipo in Zed.All countries offer these type degrees , US, Canada, etc. We Zedians always think anything foriegn is better, I’m sorry, but thats how we were brought up.It takes patriotism to leave all the good life in UK, USA and going home to contribute.After these programs are running along the way, the GRZ will put any infrastructure deemed necessary.Way to Go…

41. Guys, you always like to hammer everything from your home country, starting with agriculture, health, name it, it is all not good – sure we have massive problems, but that is no reason to trash every effort the country is making to progress. What infrastructure do you need to conduct lectures and impart knowledge? while agree that engineering and science labs may be a challenge if these unis are planning to offer these, i do not see what special infrastructure is required to teach economics, management,law,business etc.Lets not make our European and American comfort zones constrain us from encouraging our own country to do what it can to progress

42. The concept of turning diploma-awarding institutions into universities is definitely an old story rehearsed at different fora. Although the concept is good, human resource development requires ernomous investments. Unfourtunately, the infrastructure in existing government-funded institutions is dilapidated, and per capita investment in education has drastically reduced over years. Considering that no country can develop without investing in human resource development, the government needs to review its education policy. Let us not deceive ourselves, people flock to developed countries for education because those countries have invested massively in education. We sshould…..

43. #35, FYI, the ‘curve’ you’re talking about is a standard practice of normalising results or any variable distribution practised everywhere in the world and any industry. It is certainly not done because people have failed, NO! It has a statistical basis. As such a statistician can explain why and how it’s done.

44. (i) strengthen our education policy to re-invest massively in existing institutions to increase their capacities to offer decent post-secondary education qualifications,
    (ii) Strengthen links between our institutions and the industry to ensure qualifications are relevant to our economy, (iv) adopt a phased approach to upgrading diploma-awarding institutions backed by deliberate annual budgetary allocations, (v) improve conditions of service for university staff to attract skilled staff.
    We do understand that the national cake must be proportionately shared, but education is a major pillar of our economy.

45. Thanks for those that responded to my question. If our education system is the ‘best’ in the region, why have we not moved forward in terms of all spheres of academic endevour in the forty years plus of our independence? Why have we lagged behind countries like Korea that have used education to advance?

    The fact that we excel in other people’s countries using our Zambian education might point to the fact that our education is designed to service other systems but ours!

46. Walya iwe! Ndipo nkhani iyo yatowa imwe a Chuchu! This is the right time for changing almost all tertially institutions into Universities just like the Asian Tigers! These Multi-economic zones that we are preparing and others will definately need more skilled manpower! For us to improve pass rate, lets improve the teachers. Imagine, its has been very normal for a school of 2 streams, average 90 grade 12 to produce 3 distinctions, 5 merits, 15 credits and the rest pass or fail! This has gone on for far too long! The teachers knowledge need to be boosted as the modern syllabus demand require such changes! Go Zambia go, thats the way! Imwe a chuchu taonga chomene, chiuta wamupeni mazuba yanandi

47. Voter #45,and others who point to Korea and such other countries, your point is valid but yet realize that these countries have been beneficiaries of heavy western capital investment and developed workable mutual trade and market partnerships at many levels including education.Other than being recipients of volunteers from the peace corp, nordic countries and canada, we do not fall close to the ‘favorite child’ status that are these countries you mention. Still our own policy and perfomance ineptitude leave us in this quagmire.For not being an economist i perhaps fall short in making my point.

48. HI,

    I know that this has been said over and over but who knew five years ago that trainee teachers will be trained over a period of three instead of two. Anything is possible anytime, I therefore say it’s gonna happen.

49. Most zambians have no belief in themselves as that majority of these posts show. Agggg!

50. ladies and gentelmen, a journey of a thousand mile begins with one step. Nkrumah will suly be a university. All we need is to push our politicians. i believe there is nothing imposibo. ViVa Nkrumah Viva chishimba martin our only union president.

51. ladies and gentelmen, a journey of a thousand mile begins with one step. Nkrumah will suly be a university. All we need is to push our politicians. i believe there is nothing imposibo. ViVa Nkrumah Viva chishimba martin our only union president.:

52. what a wise say.

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