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Government increases meal, book and project allowances for students at UNZA and CBU

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Dora Siliya
Dora Siliya

Government has increased meal allowances for students at the Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia. Government has also commissioned two hostels at the Copperbelt University that have been constructed at a cost of over eleven billion kwacha.

Education Minister Dora Siliya also says Government has increased book and project allowances for students at the two universities.

Ms Siliya says government has since has released sixteen billion kwacha to CBU and UNZA for the allowances.

Ms. Siliya says meal allowances for the two institutions have been increased by fifty percent, while book allowance has been increased by thirty three percent.

She says project allowances have been increased by twenty five percent.

Ms Siliya says government is committed to addressing the numerous challenges that affect higher learning institutions.

And Students at the Copperbelt University are happy with government’s decision to increase their allowances.

Copperbelt University Students Union president Matora Mbewe told ZNBC News that government has done a commendable job.

And Ms Siliya says there is need to invest in education if the country is to achieve its middle income status.

Ms Siliya says the education sector is the driving force of the economy.

She was speaking after commission two hostels at the Copperbelt University in Kitwe.

And Ms Siliya has disclosed that government has recruited a total of thirty thousand teachers since 2007.

Ms Siliya says Government also intends to construct 16-thousand classrooms by 2016 in an effort to make education accessible to every Zambian.

She was speaking after commissioning the hostels.

Ms Siliya met a combined group of staff and students representatives that included deans and directors of the Copperbelt University.

And Copperbelt University Vice Chancellor Professor Mutale Musonda praised government for constructing the two students hostels.

Professor Mutale says the hostels will ease the accommodation crisis that has affected the students for a long time.

And a forth year student of Business Administration at the Copperbelt University Malingose Mtonga has thanked government for constructing the state of the art students hostels at the institution.

[ZNBC]

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

133 COMMENTS

  5. Well done and Good news for students from both Universities. what about technical colleges? anything for them Dorah? or they are not considered as institutes for Higher education

    Give them something that you buy more votes. People don’t get fooled you know why all this has been done, elections?? Students get your allowances, study hard and don’t vote for them.

  9. Iyeee CHISUMA CHIMAMA ICHIII jealous down. Kuti wachitobela Bwino Ichiii?? Mmmmmmm Ifimatanta?? Zoona twalikwata Chi Minister of Education?? Patali..

  10. Hope this was budgeted for, otherwise students are not villagers who are easily corrupted with fitenge and sugar. Good for the students. At least 2/3 of this will remain pa Kalingalinga or Mutendere.Hey, you Guys Have you maintained monks sausage? how about utuma import twapa kalis tula feature? abash tu moma.those are for outsiders and ba mature.keep up that culture. Mwavivulako noku vivula sometimes.It has been long,it helps to keep up the spirit of Unza!!

  11. #1..k675,000 is actually more sustainable and we have to give credit whr its due. The government has done a recommendable job in all sectors of the econony be it in health,transport,education and in infrastrucure development such as constructing road networks. Not long ago, students from high learning institutions were getting K150,000, K300,000 as Meal allowances and it was working..so what i can say is thumbs up to government for working extra hard in trying ensure that every1 in the society has equal share. The country like Zambia has minimum capital to invest simultaneously in all sectors at once but what should be done is to invest in strategically selected sectors one after the other n thts what this government under RB has done and ll continue doing through out this year till 2016

  12. This is very good, it is about time our government started investing more in education. Well done, build more hostels for our students and pay them more so that they can focus on books

  16. wr av they been 0 this tym.Dont kubeba..they thnk wr dull en after election takamba uku shupana nama reasons ayabupa with threats on top that…tatwa ka mivotele ba mmd.

  17. How much are cevil servants getting? From K675OOO to K900 000 whn u graduate and work as a civil servant

  18. dont kubeba..wr av thy been 0 this yrs en wait ntil elections. we r nt babies not c wat on the ground…no mmd

  21. the minmum wage for workers with families is about K400 000 which was revised this year and for students you give them about K 675 000 is there any justice in this. Does it mean that students are the only voters in this country.

  22. #14 Cellphone Banda.

    Can you please say a bit more. What are you trying to say? Are you campaigning for PF or what? You are doing a bad job of it.

    This is commendable, elections or not. I would not expect anything less regardless of who is in Government.

    Especially that Government appears to recognise the importance of education. I hope you too are tapping into it. I am guessing you are a matatu conductor.

  24. That is a good guesture, hope they realize that is taxpayer’s money and government is doing all it can to ease their learning.

  26. Apparently Donti Kubeba means, the guy hitting yokubuyo telling the other guy not to be tired as that entrance is painful and requres the other party to be quick. Dont vote for such Kubuyo parties, its un african bene. :o

  30. Congrats students. DONT KEBEBA about their Stupid campaign. DID THEY BUDGET FOR THE INCREAMENTS. Make sure you account for the money you are spending even at funerals otherwise you will rot in jails. Ne fimatanta fi kasungulika.

  31. The increament is a good gesture. I would rather speed my life repeating, get the allowances than getting a degree and leave the campus without getting any job out there.

  32. Do they know what inflation means? Its not about increasing allowances or salaries that makes people confortable, its about inproving the economy. This is chi Kwacha is the most useless currency in Africa

  33. Desperate kicks of a dying horse – MMD. Why increase meal allowances during an election year?? Someone answer me please? As for the hostels job well done because they were not initiated in the election year. LT you must be clear. I am sure its the two female hostels because the new male hostels have been in use for more than a year now. Dora finally she has the peace to visit a university, what happened. Was she under the protection of the Kamfinsa boys?

  34. Even though I was a beneficiary of BC, I think such nonsense should not be entertained in a free market economy.This is a subsidy which should be scrapped off.It is an old KK policy which should not be encouraged in this day and age.Most of this money will end up at Garden cockpit and some hules in the shanties surrounding these versities.

  37. It’s elections time please Zambian’s don’t fall for there tricks why didn’t they give allowances years ago …..They are playing cards on people’s needs and minds. Be smart Zambians get the allowance and vote on change not game players . 

  39. Gud for the studends bt dont kubeba………..real reason am posting Chi Dora kuti nachinyenga mamamamamamamamamamama

  42. Uk students are crying with fees pa Zed ni nweeeeeee for unza students ,well done we are rich.we should learn to help those who helped us when we where poor. Donate to the English students pls RB. 

  48. Gentlemen, this a clear indication that the Gov’t has always had the ability to change things. We are watching, no one will cheat us ever again….we will never accerpt anything less because where there is a will there is a way. Viva RB…nafuti nafuti. After elections, and if there is no sign of development anymore, then RB and friends are assured of no sleep. This time arround, we will vote for you, we will support you, atleast us the majority…..but don’t take us for granted…we are in a different era now.

  50. Good, more imports from chipata compound (CBU) and Kalingalinga (UNZA) kuli ba monk. Mojo wa wa! Can someone tell me do they still give book allowance in kind such as bond paper?

  52. Soundz good! There may never be any better SANGWAPO than now. The Civil Servants should not miss this chance to get what they’ve alwayz askt government for.
    Dora ba Honorable pliz tone down, how can you suggest that your political senior Masebo iz thinking in reverse?

  53. Dont complain just get “Dochi Kubeba” they are in a fix and they need your influence during this time of election time. One bird in hand is worth Nine in the bush.MMD think by giving you an increment on you allowances it will change your mind and vote for them. The choice is yours but do you want to eat today and suffer 2moro. Afer graduation no jobs.Dora is just a sweet talker palying her master’s voice. Zee Dochi Kubeba.

  55. Bane muletasha. Why being so uncivilised. The dirt u ar heaping on HH RB naba tata ba Sata wl turn to be a curse on you. Careful there4 coz we all wil acount to God on J/day for every word thought and action against his choice leaders. One nation one Zambia bane!Bane muletasha. Why being so uncivilised. The dirt u ar heaping on HH RB naba tata ba Sata wl turn to be a curse on you. Careful there4 coz we all wil acount to God on J/day for every word thought and action against his choice leaders. One nation one Zambia bane!

  56. Education is a driving force for the economy, only where jobs are available and given to Zambian graduates. However, if jobs are created and given to “infestors”, it is their education which is a driving force for their countries’ economy.

    How many graduates do we have who have remained unemployed for many years now? Some of the people who graduated from our unis and colleges have never tasted a job, and are already beginning to grow grey. Siliya’s talk was the same old empty and meaningless tired talk.

  58. I concur with lasa lasa. But lets also allow others to vote 4 donch kubeba pfair, Updwn or mmdo . Lets av a variety to vote for. We should accept whoever wins wether niba tata ba Sata nolo ni shikulu ba RB nangula ni uncle HH coz we ar one Zambia. They God’s choice leaders for us and one of them wl rule the nation after the polls. Why destroy mother Zambia which also belongs to unknown future generations of Zambians. Let them find a civilised nation when they come. Contribute your peace during this time. Thats how we shall liberate our economy ladies & gentlemen.

  59. RB :-? he is trying, he has scored so many in such a short time….give credit where its due, he may not have done everything accordingly, but to say we are getting worse saaana, would be a lie…..vote RB for progressive thinking and development

    • you are dead yourself. i can see that you have eyes that cannot see. I am trying to say that increments should not wait for elections if government was genuine.

  64. bane,lets have elections every year and we will see how this country is going to develop.in a short period of time we have seen roads been up graded etc just becoz elections are around the corner.whatever they offer will recieve with both hands but just dont forget that its donchi kubambila

  65. Short term strategies meant to appease the youth…we will never develop so long as we have all these greedy politicians making half-hearted developmental programmes in an election year…i thought Parliament was dissolved how come MMD is making such financial decisions, these programmes will be a  headache for the next Finance Minister when a new party steps in.
    Isn’t this the same government that was asking for funeral money last week!! 

  66. at 62, I am trying to say that increments should not wait for elections if government was genuine. Did you do comprehension at school? If no I forgive you.

  70. well done. now what about those students on scholarships you have sent abroad, when is something good like this going to happen to them???… last you made an increment of 50% for CBU and UNZA students, yet those abroad just got a 25%…. this again CBU and UNZA students have gotten 50% solid increment, yet nothing you have said about those abroad…. what the heck?…. life for student abroad is very difficult, especially in those countries they don’t allow foreigner students to work ( russia,……). LOOK INTO THAT SHIT, OTHERWISE IT WILL SOON START STINKING….!!!  WE KNOW YOU CAN DO BETTER…

  71. Good for the students! Our economy is really doing fine! We are now seeing the benefits. To those who are trying to politise the developmental projects being undertaken by GRZ this year, I would suggest to you that we should have elections every year so that we can see more development. Lol! Good luck to all the political parties!

  76. I feel like being a student at UNZA again even if it has been 22 year ago since I left. Some things never change. I remember Kaunda increasing the allowance (Jackie) from K70 (seventy Kwacha) to double that, I think. He did that in one of the election years when things were not looking good for him in the late 80’s. This was also while IMF was beckoning on the door. I don’t mean IMF with it’s current problems, I mean the real IMF of our times which made life unbearable, so we were told.

  77. At least now my kid brother at UNZA can concentrate on deciphering the nit grits of Civil Engineering than always worried about how he is going to afford his next meal. Now I can concentrate on helping my little sis about to enter college too. such are the kind of investments that people like Rupiah, Dora, and nearly all the MMD Ministers and others benefited from during KK days.

    Dr. Kaunda had a deficit of doctors, teachers, engineers, professors, you name a profession, but he got to work and educated a generation of Zambian professionals who are now the envy of our region. Go to RSA, Botswana, Namibia, even as far as the UK, you will find these professionals at work. That is how serious govts go about developmental programs—a deliberate undertaking, not as a campaign gimmick!

  78. You can’t monkey around with students, the  move is welcome and overdue but they will surely put their little finger up yours. MMD you’re so finished you’re wasting time renovate Kamwala prison chimbokaira, and mokobeko you thieves sata aleisa mu ku mikolopa he means bussiness keepwishing him dead otherwise mwapya and no bail for plunder cases we will amend the law

  79. When i was leaving in 1996, it was at K90,000=00 and it was a lot of money then. We would collaborate with neighbours and buy big sharp Radio’s. Student priorities!!!!!!!!!!!

  80. JOIN THE WINNING TEAM. IF YOU CANNOT BEAT THEM JOIN THEM. MMD THE PILLAR OF THE NATION. MOVEMENT FOR MULTIPLE DEVELOPMENT. STUDENTS THIS IS A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE WORKING GOVERNMENT YOU HAVE PUT IN PLACE AND WE WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT SUCH ARE THE BENEFITS YOU SHALL CONTINUE TO GET EVEN IN THE NEXT 5YRS.

  83. you should also increase our the student studying out of Zambia or work out a system because we only received our 4 months allowance  mid June when were suppose to get it beginning of the year.

  85. typing error on the first one and am able to delete you should also increase ours  the student studying out of Zambia or work out a system because we only received our 4 months allowance  mid June when were suppose to get it beginning of the may

  89. The government should stop this program with immediate effect. We need tax payers money to be accounted for properly. If there are students who need financial aid to attend college, they should apply through financial institutions. The government can guarantee these loans but beneficiaries should repay. We need a responsible government if Zambia is to develop. Even the wealthiest country on earth – The US of A, does not give out money for free. That is why Zambia has failed to develop. When we come into power, we shall review all the programs. The ones that do not work, we shall get rid of them. We need a responsible government which is accountable to the tax payers.

  90. Suddenly, we have a father Christmas in the name of MMD,Zambia has suddenly become rich,projects are all over the place,increments that cause ukuvivula are given even without a single insult from the students.Now come October or after elections and father Christmas will suddenly vanish,Zambia will get back to its usual poor state GVNMT will have no money for anything and UKUVIVULA will become a yearly thing.Thats life ya pa ZED.

  91. Take the money and don’t vote for them! They think they can buy people’s votes like this? I would to think that young people at our universities can see through this MMD deviousness…

  92. Chalo chesu…ni nafuti nafuti. If ba mudala ba Sata misses this time, like he has always done, it would be devastating for him because this is his last chance due to age and health problems. May be he wants to recoup all the cash he has been losing for the past elections. RB’s campaign this time will be easier…all he needs to do is point fingers on what has happened and continues to happen. All Sata can do is refute, allege and twist the truth. We want Sata to categorically tell us what will change, what he will do, not use RB as a campaign basis.

  93. This is a political move. Why was the increase announced by president at a rally in Mandevu where promises of free gezyers were made. UNZA and CBU students – use your brains. I trust that you are not easily duped.

  94. Baiche ni don’t kubeba. Get the allowances and thank them for doing that. I was a student at UNZA and our strategy was to get an increase during election time and vote for opposition. These guys seem to realise how important students are during elections and all along they have been ignoring you. We need change of govt coz the MMD of nowadys is completely UNIP which we rejected in 1991.

  96. @88, whereas what you are saying sounds good, I think for the Zambian situation that is impractical. There are some rural areas where there are no banks, so what happens to children who come from such areas. I think the successive governments from Kaunda have done well to continue with this system because everyone has a chance to get a good education. Some of us (I for one) came came from such a poor family that had it not been for KK’s free education, I would be something else. I pay tax to the government and a small portion of that goes to school someone from the most rural part of Zambia to make a difference and I have no regrets. When we have reached a certain level of development and poverty levels of less than 30%, I personnally would have no problem with your thoughts.

  97. Proper electioneering! Only expect the next increase in 2016! Get their money and dont vote for them! DONT KUBEBA!

  99. This is not fair workers have been insulted with 7% increment but students who don’t even make money but consume our taxes…No this is pour type of policies or politics

  100. @94,Maybe you are right, but with the state of our schools espceially in rural areas, the sad truth is that very few children from the rural areas now make it to YUNZA or CBU like you did. With the competition which is there, even a bright child needs an extra edge (extra tuition, private school etc) to go that far. And these are managed by people who have a bit of money like you and me. So I think they should at least pay something closer to the economic fees.

  101. Students expect to get more as soon as the clown is sworn in as president, This is Good. MMD are giving the next Government a good start, new schools, hospitals,roads, Mobile Hospitals,relaxed students. Its Good Rb will leave Zambia making head way. Patrick would have done better but lets thanks the out going Goverment. Its not too late to move Zambia Forward, the vote has not yet being casted, Vote for HH,UPND.

  102. zambia lets look at tomorrow how wil be. to be corrupted so that you dont think of tomorrow unless you are shortsightened. change mmd so that whoever come in will add more and give a sign to politicain that pipo have power to change if we dont we always have govt whcih dont respect citizens.

  103. Colleagues, change for the sake of change is no change. Use your heads and reason. RB is in the right direction, he may not articulate issues so well, but he is delivering. Some people are known to be contraversual all their lives.

  104. @98, my point is that so many people are so poor that some folks even get helped by the allowance that students get, although some students obviously waste this money on booze of course. I have actually paid for my children from day 1, and I will pay for them through college. But that does not make blind to the reality that even in the combons (compounds), there are people who need the grants from government. Those grants come from our taxes. I feel I am doing my part through the tax that I pay to get some of these people the chance to contribute to the nation at some point. I am sure there are some kids at the campuses reading this who understand what I am talking about. Remove this grant and you will see who will go to these institutions.

  106. @ 102, I like the passion you have for the poor children in Zambia. You see, I grew up in Chilenje (Old Chilenje to be more specific) and I made it all the way to UNZA, I fully understand what you are saying. The sad truth is that most of the Children at our two universities are from ku mayadi and not the combons (Sorry I do not have the statistics). Nothing wrong with being ku mayadi but I think their parents can afford a bit more than they are paying. These are the people you and I are subsidising through our taxes and not the poor intelligent boy or girl in Mtenguleni or Lukulu. My daughter is in Grade 7 and I am paying close to K3m per term. When she goes to YUNZA, please subsidise her education, I wouldn’t mind another free ride as I had in Kaunda’s time. GOD BLESS.

  108. So what is the implication of what this corrupt government has done?. Does it mean workers at CBU who have been fighting for an increment a less important than students? Not to say that students did not deserve the increment but in all fairness. workers have sacrificed alot over the years or is it a game of numbers? MMD will not get it no matter what the bribe the use. Zambians have grown past that stage.

  109. Akanani nikalya akali pa bwali [Bemba fools] and fodya ndi uja uli pa mphuno [ the wise men from the East]. Action not words.So baice sungeni ubuteko bwenu ni ububwine.Ba sata basabailafye lyonse.

  110. @106, thanks for understanding my point of view. The onus is on government to sift through the system to identify the people who are really in need. But you know the problem is the mentality of wanting free things. Even people that can afford will do everything in their power to get free things. It is difficult to get rid of vices, but if at least 50% of people that go to these institutions are people with the right qualifications and from poor families, then we are getting somewhere. That is a sure way of reducing poverty in our country. I am from a poor family, but KK gave me a lifeline. I am sure more can also get such a lifeline in our country. This is our country that we need to be proud of and work for.

  111. Dear UNZA students, much as it is good to celebrate an increase in meal, book and project allowances it is important to be morally sensitive to those other students who have no BC and will not benefit. Not to forget those in colleges who do not get BC. It is this thought that should make you use that money wisely and also make you fight for others at UNZA and the wider society who are not as lucky as you are. Do not mistake this BC for your God-given right. Think about your friends in the University community and the wider society of Zambia who are not as lucky as you are and are probably even more intellgent than yourselves but just did not have the opportunity to be where you are and receive what you are able to. Cheers!

  112. Dear UNZA student, during my time at YUNZA we had the UNZA dollar (Coupons) and we would make do with much less. At our times, being at any of the two institutions was indeed an achievement as they were the only two universities. We were considered to be the cream of the nation and I guess we were. I don’t know what you would consider yourselves now, but you have a burden to educate the masses on issues that take our nation forward. You have analytical minds, unlike kaponyas, you can see were a kaponya sees darkness, you have been moulded to face life positively and you are able to read the political landscape better than those that shout slogans at rallies, the tribalists and the uniformed. Forget about fake graduates from tutemba universities and on-line degree holders.

  114. RB AND YOUR TEAM KEEP IT UP YOU HAVE WORKED HARD,GOD WILL REWARD YOU WE APPRECIATE.MMD NAFUTI,NAFUTI,NAFUTI.DORA YOU HAVE WORKED IRON LADY.

  117. When the report to the public and yet your term has come to end of the road.Tomorrow is first July Gen ex service man.Any time RB wil give the date for the elections.Don’t kubeba.Young Patrick Mwanawansa has all the data on all kabwalala’s.THe late dad gave him all the files in France and this are in the strong room in some country i know.Don’t Kubeba

  118. Taupwa mukashana wa wa me fi.Why she not married such a nice young girl?After that chupo i was wishing her some bemba man to marry her.What is the problem mwe bana.We can not have a minister of education without a husband,that is why too much rape cases and mafumo,becuse our minister in not married.Li ule cha be

  119. Dora fying from Lundazi all the way to South Africa to buy a House IN MILLIONS OF RAANDS.This is not allowed in the laws of flying.You can only fly from the international air and not Lundazi airstrip.Which back did you get so much money in USA Dollar from in Chipata town.I have just visited your new home in South Africa,it is nice.You need to have alot of money to buy such a house.Any the from the constraction of school may be is helping you out.One day you will account for the money

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