The Center for Elections and Governance (CEG) Zambia has welcomed government’s decision to close Alliance University College of Ndola.
CEG Zambia Trustee Gershom Musonda said the country’s education system is being weakened by sub-standard education services by the private sector.
Mr. Musonda said this in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mr. Musonda observed that some private colleges and universities in the country were offering low quality education and poor infrastructure.
He also charged that the caliber of lecturers and graduates is weak to benefit Zambia’s development process.
Mr. Musonda added that the private education sector is taking advantage of desperate school leavers who want to further their education.
He however expressed sadness that Alliance University College was allowed to start operations and continued to offer poor education standards with the knowledge of education authorities in Ndola.
Mr. Musonda also blamed the Provincial Education Officer for allegedly allowing the institution to exist.
The CEG Trustee has further asked government to refund the students who were affected by the closure.
He commended Copper belt Provincial Minister Mwansa Mbulakulima for taking action to close the school.
He has since urged the Ministry of Education to conduct regular inspections on infrastructure and other standards that learning institutions should meet.
ZANIS/ENDS/CM/GK
Tell us more about this collage what low qualities are you talking about. Because UNZA has low quality as well!!!!
True, #1. It would help us if the violations that led to the closure could be mentioned. This can also help those who intend to open up new Universities. Govt must also consider building new Universities and colleges and protect our people from enrolling at bogus Universiies..
Alliance University of Ndola is as bogus as Center of Election and Governace who just open they mouths to prove existence. Hes busy jubilating closure instead of seeking improvement and excellency. He does not even know why the college was closed. Whether it was sub standard education or sub standard infrastracture? Who said that Mwansa Mbulakulima can inspect a college to determine the standard level of education?
Please, lets wait for a comment from the PEOs office.
#1 UNZA may have poor infrustructure but the quality of lecturers is good and most UNZA graduates have no problem surviving at universities abroad because they actually have acquired more knowledge than most foreign universities give lets not think that just because your college abroad has better infrustructure then u have recieved better education than at UNZA, infact people who don’t even do well in high school can enter college abroad and pass well but they don’t stand a chance at unza
#4 I concur. It’s very important to consider everything, before setting up a university. Comparing Alliance University of Ndola to UNZA is a big mistake.
UNZA is not all that good, may be some individual schools may be ok but the university infrastructure, learning material, access to information and general learning environment is not good. If its not the students rioting then its the leactures on strike for more pay. In my own opinion, it does not mean that if one doesn’t make it into UNZA then that person is dull. To me it just means that we need more universities so that more people can have access to higher education. It is anti development to have just 2 ‘major’ universities in the 21st century. We need a university for every district in Zambia at the most minimum.
# 4
I think you have offered a sweeping statement to suggest that most people who do not do well in high school can enter UNI in other countries and pass well while fail to make it at UNZA.I passed through UNZA and have acquired 2 other qualifications abroad. I dont want to mislead you nd others that I relaxed in order to get my papers out there. There is competition my friend and they all “fall” if one did not study hard. Some UNI standards- both academic + infrastructure are far better than those obtained at UNZA. Lets face facts.
Back tot the topic, its a pity that there are institutions with mediocre leaders, teachers, infrastracture, etc yet they amass monies from innoscent students!!
Its a pitty if the school is not fully accredited. We have so many Students in Zambia that are Education angry and would do every means possible to acquire an education.
I hope these private institutions are not just coming up with some business plans to make money in selling education. If thier standards are high, then they deserve it.
As far as the Government taking action against these institutions, they should take action against its own instutions starting with UNZA. There are too many problems at that school even though some alumini may want to defend the school.
I find our friends who defend UNZA standards hard to understand. The only reason that UNZA graduates do well outside is NOT because of good standards at UNZA; the Zambian education system (UNZA included) by design eliminates students at every stage. Whether you accept it or not, the ones who graduate must be the cream of the cream (Zambia). Take these, give them good lecturers (who teach throughout the semester), good infrastructure (libraries, internet, etc), good meals and you have a good recipe for success. But don’t get it wrong: the quality of a UNZA graduate is not that good anymore, but the serious ones can withstand pressure better when the conditions are those conducive to learning.
#9 you are 101% RIGHT. OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ELIMINATE AND TURN PEOPLE INTO FAILURES. AT GRADE 7,9 WE HAVE A CUT OF POINTS. HOW MANY PEOPLE OPTED TO QUIT SCHOOL BECAUSE THET COULD NOT BE ACCEPTED??. MAYBE THESE NEW COLLEGES COULD BE A SOLUTION, BUT THEY ARE BEING CLOSED DOWN TOO.
#8 you’re right on the spot.
Infact Govt should even consider changing the name UNZA to Lusaka University. The institution apart from poor infrastracture, boasts of disgruntled students. The world over thinks its Zambias’ only university, yet its among others.
As for #4, keep your shallow mind to yourself. ‘Umwana ushenda atasha nyina’.
#1. UNZA is not a low quality university. Its just that its poorly funded. After doing my BSc and MSc at UNZA, I am now teaching at a University abroad and I can tell u that standard of teaching is high at UNZA. Don’t degrade our University. Maybe you have never passed through that place for you to say that. Most graduates from UNZA are managing economies of most economies in foreign countries.
#12 Managing economies outside! mmmhh. Explain please.
UNZA and CBU have quality lecturers hence the quality graduates. CBU and UNZA graduates can work anywhere in the world without a problem. The infrastructure at both varsity as we all know is a big concern and need urgent attention. On the other hand, quality private education at ever level must be encouraged as is the case world-wide.
THe dept of education is sleeping on duty while an organisation that was set up to look into govt performance and good election practices has lost focus of its core mandate.
This is an indication of misplaced energies just to please LPM that they are relevant in their positions.
Patriotism clouds the judgement of those that claim UNZA & its products to be the ‘best’. Like another mentioned, perhaps certain schools and individuals have excelled. Therefore no need for a blanket conclusion that UNZA is the all and mighty, fact is, it was once an institution of note during the times of KK because of the expartrite lectures then…. ask any sound UNZA grad and they’ll attest to this.
#13 if you are outside Zambia I guess you never went through UNZA. I find the Zambian Education system more rigorous than even most developed countries, I was lecturing in one of these private universities and it has affiliation to an Austrialian University, that is chicken mash compared to the rigours I had to go through at CBU. Have you ever seen a university with multiple choice examinations throughout. If you never went throuhg UNZA/CBU guys reserve your comments, I did my BSc at CBU and MCD at UNZA and I intend to do a PhD if offered in my area an UNZA. Someone said our education system created failures, but how else do you ensure that you have the best brains in key positions, by…
Cont’d 16
scrapping the examinations at these levels? I think what we need to ask ourselves is that why was our education system designed the way it is and why do we have, at tertiary level, instutitions graduated at trades institutes, colleges and universities, I think it is because not everyone can be a university student. I can go on and on and like people have said let us not mix the lack of infrastructure (physical buildings) as a measure of the education being provided, if you can study in your bedroom, toilet, sitting room, you can practically study anywhere and have the best grades. Someone directed us to website of zambians living abroad, and guess what Juwa Nyirenda who is now…
cont’d 17
at UCT came from a secondary school in Chama and look at how much progress they have made. So bane I have confidence in our education system and I would love my children at least at tertiary level to pass through UNZA or CBU.
#16 the same education system and its institutions that you suggest to be ‘hard’ and not chicken marsh or porraige as most say has mainly produced individuals that are configured to be workers, slave labor and “yes bwanas” that lack creativity, innovation and business acumen. Whereas those so called chicken marsh institutions with multiple choice exams keep producing creative and innovative minds that create things, shape the future of those coming from ‘hard’ institutions. What mother of ironies dont you think?
Across the border in zim, they have managed to produce hard, creative and innovative groups because of diverse institutions of learning that do not eliminate but compliment.
Talk of the curriculum then not the quality of education and relate it to lecturers, infrastructure, if you are talking of the curriculum agreed and granted our curriculum might not be the best. Tell you what innovation, creativity and whatever else the chicken marsh institutions have done has nothing to do with the standard of education, it is the culture they have adopted, tell me how many western countries can apply the Just In Time system as it works in Japan, but tell you what the Japanese culturally have been efficient and meticulous people, how many Zambians even after having passed through the ‘advanced instutions’ have created anything, other than Prof Chirwa! So education system…
Cont’d 20
… much as it might have an effect on someone’s mind the bulk of the creativity is cultural. Talking of ZIM, what after they have westernised their education system have they contributed to the science world or even just a theory of human development, if they have I have not heard of it. There is more to this that what meets that eye, the issue of innovation and creativity, this is a politically charged world, but I like your reasoning and your maturity in debating the subject.
For the record, let me refer to them as Western Universities, not ‘chicken marsh’ my apologies to everyone who I might have offended by making reference to that rather demeaning term.
By the way I should have commented on the closed University, where was the ministry of education inspectors, this had to take Mbulakulima to notice, what a shame or is the Ministry suffering from PSRP (public sector reform programme) where we were told we have too big a Government my foot.
Some people who have gotten used to riding njingas refuse to use cars because they think they will be seen to be lazy!!
others think that its takes having PHD to run a ka themba!!
Unless you have gone thru the rigors of climbing the tallest hill of our village, no milk from our village goat!
If the blind lead the blind, they will both fall in a ditch, if the blind lead the seeing then there is no end to the tale!
#24 that is funny and very true too ha!
“No matter how much memory capacity a computer has, it is useless in and of itself. It is only useful if someone uses that computer and data in it”.
….please somebody show me what anyone UNZA or CBU graduate has done (not for the world, but) Zambia. These Zambian Universities (sorry to say but just being realistic) only produces graduates that are full of themselves and talk but no practical action, Even the not so educated people have created multi billion business which can not be said about the so called UNZA or CBU graduates. Please STOP talking big words and prove us wrong regarding your almighty Education….TWANAKA NA THEORY YENU BA MONK!!!!
I can give you an example of a graduate engineer working for Zambia railways some time back, who failed to perform a simple mechanical problem at the site of a derailed locomotive, only to be rescued by an oil boy(forgot what they called them) and that was after the engineer consulting so many big text books but to no avail
#29 When a high capacity(memory) computer crashes, it is serious trouble to re-configure. I guess similar to a brainwashed person. It takes years and years to re-configure.
I am just wondering why some bloggers we have here have resorted to this UNZA bashing. I happen to be a proud graduate of UNZA and a lecturer there with post graduate and postdoctoral qualifications from Ivy League universities in the US.
To authenticate the quality of our education at UNZA, we have, as most reputable universities do, a system of external examination of our students at senior (i.e. third and fourth year) levels. A few years ago, our department invited two external examiners one from the University of Witwatersrand and one from Western Cape. In both their independent reports, they observed that standards were pretty high and our teaching methods rather rigorous, if not too d
To authenticate the quality of our education at UNZA, we have, as most reputable universities do, a system of external examination of our students at senior (i.e. third and fourth year) levels. A few years ago, our department invited two external examiners one from the University of Witwatersrand and one from Western Cape. In both their independent reports, they observed that standards were pretty high and our teaching methods rather rigorous, if not too demanding of undergraduate students. One of the examiners, in fact, expressed surprise at the high quality of the research reports produced by our students in the fourth year!
Another indicator to assess the quality of our graduates is the success rate of our graduates at universities abroad. Virtually all our staff development fellows at UNZA have excelled and won accolades for their outstanding academic performance abroad. Incidentally, I am also an external examiner at two universities below the Limpopo and I can safely state that our standards at UNZA compared to other universities in the southern region are not as low as is being insinuated here.
Admittedly we have run down infrastructure, understaffing, and a myriad other problems, but to our credit, we have committed and patriotic academic staff who labour under very unfavourable conditions of service and students who persevere and even excel under these circumstances. Imagine how much we would achieve if only we had half the infrastructure of the universities some of our fortunate brothers and sisters have in South Africa, for example. Under funding of the universities by our government is the worst culprit in this regard.
For the negatively inclined bloggers on this forum, let me just advise them against unscientific generalizations, based on a few half – baked UNZA graduates they may have encountered. Remember that even at some top-notch universities like Oxford or MIT, you are likely to find some students or graduates who are not really up to scratch, but you cannot take these as representative of these institutions’ standards. As an external examiner at some universities in this region, I can state categorically that UNZA students are heads and shoulders above most of the other students in this region; they are just disadvantaged by the inauspicious environment in which they have to learn.
#30 Bill Gates is not even a graduate, like I said before there could be cultural underpinnings here. Sometimes fellow bloggers let us compares like to like, we are busy comparing UNZA to Oxford, first and forremost how old is Havard. I like your contributions Max, very encouraging. I think what has happened is that we have been so brain washed (sorry but I have to say it) to the extent where anything Western is the best, anything Zambian is rubbish. On this forum people were busy despising the university that gave ‘Dr’ Mwanawasa his PhD yet they say those universities are better than UNZA, what are we saying bloggers. What message are we trying to convey? Examples of graduates have been…
… given of graduates that have failed at the same time none of you has given an example of a succesful Zambian who was traind at UNZA, in this same blog, when we were discussing the issue of dual citizenship some people felt that the zambians abroad have a lot to contribute and someone even pointed us to people that are doing well out there, guess what, 90% of them have their basic degree from the same system we choose to despise today. talking of comparisons, how do you compare Sisala and Mwansa, I thought Mwansa was a better engineer than Sisala and ran ZESCO better than Sisala, but they are both UNZA trained engineers, so should we blame it on the institutions? I do not think so. For…
… what I know CBU and UNZA are among some of the top universities according to me because of the no nonsense nature of their approach to education. #26 you are right if you never have gone throuhg the huddles and rigours of the Zambian education system, then you cannot say much here. I work with international staff members and zambians who have been trained in and outside Zambia and the differences are very clear, let me rest my case.
Its not UNZA bashing , but who in their right minds would want send their kids to a university that verages closures at least 4-5 times a year. Lets be real
Every university has both excellent and poor students, that’s why not everyone from Havard or Oxford graduated top of their class. We’ve had former unza students who’ve graduated tops at Havard and others who’ve graduated near the end of the list. This is true in industry as well. Not every grad of MIT is tops in industry. One thing for sure is not a single person on this blog has enough information to make sweeping statements about grads of any institution. The only sure statement one can make is education rulez! Even out here in the diaspora, you’ll be doomed to washing plates if you don’t arm yourself with recognized education papers.
#38-40, you’re a monster man…I’m no supporter of any one university home or abroad, but I think your comments are brilliant!
Well, we all believe we’ve been to the best. So no one will convince others otherwise.
@ Mwinga,Max etal
You epitomise a typical zambian way of thought,please don’t mistake rigor for best
Rigor for the sake of rigor is a senseless,of what good is it for one to be able to solve the most complicated calculations and have no practical use for it,
Western institutions equip one for the real world in the best possible and simplified way,be it thru multiple choice or not,
The aim of the lecturer is not to taunt or intimidate students with how they are qualified,like your lot are acustomed to,no
On the Zimbabwe issue,please google names like Strive Masiyiwa,Nigel Chikumbirike,Nkosana Moyo etc,these are world class enterprenuers and corporate figures,which dwarf HH and Kavindele
#45 That is the gist of #24 to 29. Though leave out the individual comparison. It cancels your point.
Not to mention the pettyness of our Zambian lecturers,
many are the times when students would be deliberately failed for on non academic grounds such as;
looking pompus(i.e not saying hi),turning down a lecturer’s sexual advances,questioning or arguing with a lecturer,having a nice car/girlfriend etc
The opposite is true aswell,how many sisters do we know who have degrees for using there bottoms,or students buying beer or some favours for these learned lecturers,
something am yet to see in the west,so much leaves to be disired about our institutions,i wouldn’t envy my child going there
#13. What I meant was that we have graduates from UNZA outside Zambia who are holding high and influencial positions and are doing well. I hope its clear.
When I was going to UNZA in 1990, most of my friends thought I was just going to waste my time at an institution that produces half-baked students. Most of these friends opted to enter the job market right away. Now 18years later, Im a senior manager with one of the successful commercial banks. My friends who opted not to go to UNZA(or rather failed to make it) are struggling to make ends meet. So much for being a half-baked graduate. Why do non (unza) graduates find happiness in bashing UNZA? Ni jealous??
#49. You are very righ. Some of these guys condemning UNZA failed to make it there and they think is a place to play around with. I taught at UNZA for 7 years and now I am teaching at a University outside Zambia, and also my head of department here is also a Zambian who also passed through UNZA.
#45 Been a world class enterprenuer is directly proportional to the amount of money circulating in your local economy. Those names you’ve spoken of were liveraged into a higher rank due to the volume of business in money terms within their domestic
economy, which has been more voluminous, atleast in the bigger part of the last two decades, than that in our economy. That’s why they are also dwarfed by American, South African or even Nigerian enterprenuers like Dangote. It would only be fair to compare a unza grad to a non unza grad operating within the same country or economy, within Zed or abroad. Eg. take one Zambian unza grad and another Zambian but non unza grad, enrol them at Harvard..
cont’d…for the same academic programme and see results. This in it self is also not fair because each of the two has a unique IQ that has nothing to do with been or not been at unza. For me, I haven’t seen any individual on this blog with convincing evidence about the superiority in quality of graduates from one university to another. Like one Chinese quoted in newsweek said, the best university in the world is one that shall achieve teaching a chimp how to speak!
I waz zeya in the 80’s still just driving a Japanese reconditioned Pajero. Ndefwaya new motoka not ifi fima reconditioned. Elyo ama bondi yatatu. Ndefwa more! Eh
#53 Cont’d Ayi, balengufwila Jelazi ati nalisambilila sana. Yangu tata!
#1 Iam disappointed with yo comparison, did you step yo foot in LT1 or Nelt?. You don’t what you are talking about.
always make sure you are enrolled with the right collages or universities!
@ Mercy
Are you sure you are better than every zambian whose never been to unza?
To label anyone crticising the ills of unza is not educated or has never passed through it(unza) is unfortunate vindictiveness,this is the pettyness i alluded to earlier on,could this be the unza thinking?
Anyway my being thru UNZA will not obscure my objectivity,having been to 3 universities unza being one of them i wasn’t impressed with my time there,wish i had come here earlier on…ciao
@ Annonymus, #51..
Take Uganda alone, where i have recently spent sometime
The MD Barclays Bank Uganda is Zimbabwean
The MD Uniliver Uganda was Zimbabwean
The CFO Lion Assurance is Zimbabwean
The GM Southern Insurance is Zimbabwean
The GM Renaissance Capital is Zimbabwean
The Chief Afvisor to the UPTOP is/was Zimbabwean
The Head of Public realtions Multichoice Uganda was Zimbabwean
The Head of Production Department at BAT Uganda is Zimbabwean
The MD of BATU Uganda was Zimbabwean (white)
The MD of Motorcare Uganda was Zimbabwean (white)
The Head of Traesury Stanbic Bank Uganda was Zimbabwean
The Director of Transactional Banking at Standard Chatered Uganda is Zimbabwean
The He
58 Contd
The Director of Transactional Banking at Standard Chatered Uganda is Zimbabwean
The Head of Risk Management Barclays Bank Uganda was Zimbabwean
The Chief Finance Officer at Stanbic Bank Uganda is Zimbabwean
The HR Manager of formerly Nile Bank iwas Zimbabwean (Nile Bank was acquired by Barclays Bank, and I dont know what she is now at Barclays)
Now that’s just Uganda on it’s on,don’t wanna touch on South Africa,i could go on and on
do you still blame this on the amount of money flowing through our economy or the effectiveness of our educational institutions?
58 Contd,
Apart fro the late Mazoka,Magaret Mwanakatwe,Irene Mzinga,Valentine Chitalu and some obscure shoprite manager in Tanzania,
can you educate me on any Zambians sitting on boards or having corporate positions or better still any other jobs apart from lecturers,doctors and teachers?
Pleasant reading,
Zimbabwe in Uganda???….something wrong with Ugandans then????
@ Will help you..#61
Or maybe there’s something good about there education system,
and what about Nkosana Moyo heading a $5 billion investment portfolio for ACTIS (formerly Commonwealth Development Corporation) in South Africa,for Africa
#58, I’m a lay person but I think a seasoned researcher or statistician will tell you that you are comparing incomparable beings here. I mean, eg, factor in the propensity of an educated Zambian aspiring to look for jobs in Uganda or any other country, is it the same us that for Zimbabweans doing the same? I mean, I can give you names of the Chintus, Ngwengwes or Mwenes of this world, Zambians whose work has revolutionised treatment of sickle cell anaemia recognised in the US, people who’ve worked for NASA and graduated tops at Havard. But the little statistics I know tells me its a meaningless comparison. You need to randomise your candidates for comparisons for you to make generalizations.
Wherever you get your education from, a wrong mindset will hinder true success. Ensure, though, that you avoid bogus universities or colleges.
#60 ha ha ha you narrow your comparison to people in the corporate world, and remove lecturers,doctors and teachers..is the world all about corporate firms? You’re so biased man. I’m a Zambian researcher, a Ridgeway campus grad with a considerable list of publications in the lancent, and currently on a short work related visit to Uganda. In my world a corpoarate position doesn’t count as much as publishing in the Lancent. And I guess publishing in the lancent doesn’t mean anything to you. So how do you generalise what you see in the corporate world to all Zambians and Zimbabweans?
@Mercy #49,
You are comparing yourself with wrong people – people who never went to any college. Compare yourself with graduates from Chingola School of Accountancy for instance and see how you fare.
@ Public Health..#65
That’s a typical unza grad answer one i expected it,a typical school of natural sciences grad for that matter,i being one of them fully understand your thinking,
Anyway thing is no matter how much research you do and pulish to take your ideas to fruition dear friend you will need some funding at some point, we are swamped with too many idealistists and theoraticians,people who can fill the whole zambezi with mathematical formulae and happy to call themselves educated,
We need some banking/financial innovation skill in the economy,
that was the point i was driving home,our graduates are not trusted enough within and outside Zambia to handle such corporate roles,why?
@ Anonymous #63
If am getting you right,are you suggesting educated Zambians just can’t be bothered to go and fight for corporate jobs in Afrikan country like Uganda,Swaziland etc where no visas are needed?
Could it be the same reason why a Senegalise,with no local,geographical knowledge of the country,language(not even english)etc can come and mine gemstones in our villages,while the Unza geologists and the lot of us are sit our backsides and complain in Lusaka?
But wait a minute are not the teachers,doctors,nurses,lectures educated aswell,don’t they end up in far places where visas are needed fighting for jobs or even in neighbouring countries?
Pls help me out on that
@ Abantu Baya…#66
You are spot on
One thing I can say about #50 to 69 is you’re all so clean in your arguments; I was expecting name calling. I guess you’re all from a decent calibre;
##50 to 69
I commend you my bro/sista, you make me a proud Zambian. Whats happening here illuminates my earliar comments on diversity.
Mwiinga, as always i enjoy your contributions. Point taken on cultural influences. to add to it, what has happened with zimbos is as a result of cultural intercourse with rhodesians.
Ba Max, we hear you however we need to move beyond the obvious.
Abt PHD’s awarded to LPM by foreign varsities, those are honorary doctorates, even oprah, mandela and mbeki have them but never scream for attention or wish tobe addressed as such. look it up.
I actually wonder why even a kantemba can be called a University.For any institution to be called a University certain criteria has to be fulfilled,such as the type of courses offered and qualifications of Lecturers.In my opinion i think Zambia has only one University-UNZA.I consider CBU and Mulungushi to be Polytechs.CBU has only one proffersor,that is if he hasnt already left the institution.
I urge Levy to change CBU to copperbelt Polytecnic College,this will be appropriate.
@ 70 & 71…
Is always nice to Zambians have a clean n honest debate,too bad we can’t say the same of leaders,
Yes may disagree,but we are all committed to Zam and the continent
@ #69, 70, 71 and 74,
Thanks for your words of encouragement. What I see from this discussion is that we know (or at least have an idea of) what our education system needs. One other thing we must fight hard to get right is our mindset. Lets do away with all manner of mediocrity and develop our country. Zambians are bright people.
Cheers.
cbu eyabako