Minister of Education Science, Vocational Training and Early Child Education Michael Kaingu has called on former University of Zambia Students and Members of Parliament to assist government alleviate the accommodation challenges which has besieged the highest learning institution.
Dr Kaingu said there are many former UNZA students including Members of Parliament who are doing fine but have fail to plough back into the institution.
Dr Kaingu was speaking in parliament this morning when he was answering a question for oral answer from Kalabo Central Member of Parliament Chinga Miyutu who wanted to know how many students at UNZA were accommodated as of April, 2015.
Mr Miyutu also wanted to know how many students were not accommodated as at April 2015 and what measures have been taken to address the shortage of bed space at the institution.
He also wanted to know when the university would provide adequate accommodation to the students.
Dr Kaingu told parliament that 3,654 students were currently accommodated at UNZA while 20, 746 were not accommodated.
He explained that government is currently building more hostels not only at UNZA but even in other public universities and colleges to easy accommodation crisis which has besieged high institutions of learning.
He stated that the UNZA management has however, made arrangements to ensure that students not accommodated are provided with boarding houses in Kalingalinga and the surrounding areas within the jurisdiction of the campus.
He said this arrangement has facilitated students to be in school instead of being denied access to education due to lack of accommodation.
The call by the Minister has been supported by United Party for National Development (UPND) MP Jonas Shakafuswa who urged members of parliament to contribute generously to the University of Zambia.
Mr Shakafuswa said this idea of supporting the University of Zambia would go a long way in alleviating some of the problems the University of Zambia is facing not only on lack of accommodation but other problems as well.
Use the Alumini Office more effectively.
Kaingu has failed to do anything in government. Only his daughter made famous
WHERE IS THE PRESIDENT? LUNGU IS BUSY GALAVANTING AND TAKING PHOTOS FOR HIS FACEBOOK AND WILL NOT GET INVOLVED IN AN ISSUE OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE SUCH AS THIS. HE NEESS TO TAKE OVER HANDLING THIS ISSUE AND ALSO ADDRESS THE NATION ON THE CRISIS REGARDING THE RECENT FUEL PRICE HIKE. THE PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR FROM THE MAN IN CHAARGE. WHERE IS THE PRESIDENT?
Not practical. We need good governance. And things can fall in place. I am getting more money from being a kachema than being a graduate.
You should have addressed this issue at UNZA before going to put upthose universities in the villages somewhere in northern province. Poor planning in useless PF.
This man as no sense, why ask former UNZA students, do they have jobs to begin with? Mr. Kaingu because you cannot use your brain constructively, here are some suggestions you should consider:
1. all government officials must half their salaries
2. all government officials should buy their own cars and cover associated expenses
3. Mr. Lungu should suspend all his travels abroad especially those that are for purely for ceremonial purposes
4. Limit the number of ancillary staff
5. Stop building unnecessary burial grounds
6. stop buying fitenges and the like for your supporters unless you foot the bill from personal accounts
the list goes on and on
once you do this you will have money enough to do what needs to be done
The verb from “half” is “halve”. Besides, not all UNZA graduates are jobless. The majority of them are in employment. I just do not believe that the private initiatives of graduates is what will solve problems at UNZA just as I do not believe UNZA should be the only one to provide accommodation to all its students. Government should be a lot more proactive. Problems of UNZA indebtedness can be alleviated by government strictly monitoring the spending of the institution to avoid mismanagement and misapplication of funds. When giving monies to UNZA it should always ensure it audits using the Ministry of Education lists of say retirees and staff owed monies so that whatever money is paid to the institution goes directly towards paying for UNZA’s debt and not to wasteful UNZA managers.