HIGHER Education Minister Michael Kaingu is this week expected to appoint a committee to determine the University of Zambia (UNZA)’s readiness to reopen.
Government closed UNZA and the Copperbelt University (CBU) on February 3, this year, following days of violent demonstrations by students over delayed payment of meal allowances.
Dr Kaingu, however, announced in Parliament that the two institutions were scheduled to reopen on April 10, this year, subject to meeting conditions that Government set to both managements.
Among some stipulated conditions were, strict enforcement of the use of students’ identity cards and installation of floodlights, security cameras and provision of communication radios to security officers.
Higher Education public relations officer Chiselwa Kawanda disclosed that Dr Kaingu was expected to unveil a committee this week to determine UNZA’s readiness to reopen.
Ms Kawanda said in an interview that the committee would strictly determine the fulfilment of the benchmarks set by the ministry before the reopening day.
“The minister (Dr Kaingu) is expected to announce a committee either tomorrow (today) or on Tuesday this week to determine UNZA’s readiness to reopen and see if all conditions set up have been met,” she said.
Ms Kawanda said the establishment of a committee to oversee the fulfillment of the benchmarks for UNZA was similar to that of CBU.
Government last week appointed a five-member committee to determine the CBU’s readiness to reopen.
The committee members were Higher Education Permanent Secretary Owen Mgemezulu, bursaries committee secretary Ireen Chirwa, Kitwe District Commissioner Chanda Kabwe, the CBU chaplain and Copperbelt Police chief Charity Katanga.
The committee would prepare a report and recommendations to Government on whether the two universities had fulfilled the conditions and were ready to reopen.
wait and watch the space.we nare fighting for a long term solution at our institution.we are not desperate to open.
Bravo PF Government!
Only non students like the chap above are not looking forward to reopening!
Viva the highest leaning institution in the country!
UNZA Senior Monk.
By the way the picture showing the fellow with supposedly a ”One Long horizontal leg” LT please find better pics.
The committee need not travel to UNZA. I am at UNZA everyday. I can tell them that there are no new street and security lights, no cameras, no security fence other than the one there before and no one bothers to ask me for my ID card. You are welcome for this information and please dont pay me any consultancy, sitting or committee allowance
What is the level of education of kitwe DC? Surely I expected a high profile team who understand university education.
TODAY THAT IS WHEN KAINGU IS STILL TRYING TO FORM AN ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE. NO PLAN INDEED. IT’S LIKE ALL THESE GUYS IN PF ARE DRUNKARDS. BY NOW KAINGU SHOULD BE INFORMING THE NATION CONFIRMING THE OPENING OF THE INSTITUTION ON THE 10th OF APRIL.
UNZA students are currently mobilizing at monk square (picture caption): Is this true LT?
LT please stop calling Mr Kaingu Dr. He is a fraud and its shameful to have you guys not bothering to check his credentials or calling him on it. First he claimed to have an MBA and now he has a PhD. This is a guy who also has no secondary school GCE certificate. You shame us because its just needs a little bit of investigational journalism.
You need a committee yet you closed the institution alone open it alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
His appointed a commitee of school dropouts and cadres to assess matters concerning university students…just another way to waste taxpayers funds in sitting allowances.