The Centre for Trade Policy and Development has appealed to President Edgar Lungu to urgently consider reopening CBU without any further delays.
CTPD Executive Director Isaac Mwaipopo said the organization os disheartened to note that the Copperbelt University has been closed for close to three months now.
Mr Mwaipopo said at the time of the closure, the reason that was given for the closure had to do with Students Protest that had taken place prior to the closure.
“The Minister of Higher Education Professor Nkandu Luo informed the nation at the time that she had been forced to close the University because of the destructive behavior of the students and was going to reopen CBU after proper security features able to detect their activities are put up. Haven’t the students been punished enough?”
He said the silence over the closure of the CBU and the business as usual attitude that has characterized the past three months is not healthy for a country in so much need of development as Zambia.
“It is quite disappointing to note that as a nation we have been watching in silence while a hub of knowledge development such as CBU can remain closed for close to three months. What we know is that all progressive societies around the world have taken investments in the education sector as a panacea for sustainable economic development and poverty reduction. Sadly in Zambia we seem to be viewing education as a cost.”
Mr Mwaipopo said the investments in the education sector have continued to go down over the years.
“Over the years the country’s overall allocation to this very important sector has been going down. For example, in 2015 the total budgetary allocation was 20.2 %, in 2016 it was 17.2%, 2017 it was 16.5%. 2018 it came down to 16.1% and now in 2019 a total of 13.3 billion kwacha was allocated to the education sector translating to 15.3% of the total national budget.”
He said this is a clear drop when one considers where Zambia is coming from and the numerous challenges the sector is grappling with.
“CTPD is still of the view that much more resources need to be allocated to the sector given its numerous challenges and its importance to national development.”
He said the infrastructure in most of the Higher Institutions of Learning remains dilapidated and below the standards expected of such sacred institutions.
“The lecturers in these institutions are also very demotivated (CBU and UNZA to be specific) as they are owed huge amounts of money in arrears. It has now become a common phenomenon to hear of lecturer and other workers in our two universities getting paid very late. “
Mr Mwaipopo said this situation has hindered academic progress and research on the part of the lecturers.
“In extreme circumstances, it has led to disruption of learning process due to boycotts by our lecturers. In the whole circus the students bear the consequence of such actions. The money owed to the two universities is also quite huge. The For UNZA alone, it is estimated that employees and retirees are owed close to K600 million in unpaid gratuities.”
“In addition, the University is in serious debt which amounts close to K2.5 billion. This situation is not healthy for the nation. It has a potential to retard development and reverse all the little gains we have achieved over the years.”
He added, “If our public Universities are to improve on performance ratings. We urgently need to find better ways of resolving issues than resorting to disrupting the University calendar.”
Ba Mwaipopo kwena mwaipopolwela but you should also consider the irrational and stupid behavior of these *****s who attack innocent motorists and damage school property for no apparent reason. I would not mind if it remained closed for another 9 months so that we can see who loses the most between those who are attacked and their attackers.
Good observation Mr Mwaipopo, education is the key to sustained economic and social development, otherwise Zambia will continue to lag behind. If you look at the Chinese and other developing asian countries, they value and embrace education and that is why their economies are on the upswing.
Expel more of those Hooligans, Education must be respected. Let COBUSU yamafi join FRELIMO thats where their skills will be needed not in a University.
P.S. Take Msoni with you.
that’s the point Mr mwaipopo the country development it will be delayed because institution is closed…
Always its the vulnerable that get hurt.The reasons advanced for the closure of CBU reflect exactly the disasters that follow when incompetent cadres thriving on tribalism run important technical institutions.Chronic difficulties facing public universities have not been addressed.Who benefits really when universities are closed?When politicians lose elections in certain areas they turn against civil servants and using tribal criteria they label them as opposition just to cover up their failure to win the heart of the masses.continued closure of CBU is an indicator of a failed leadership.Being punitive isn’t a virtue.
First, reopen CBU for the God’s sake. Two, create a permanent academic integrity, security and safety committee comprising representatives from Church, Student Union, Lecturer Association, OP, ZP, EAZ, BOZ, NGOCC and Chief Nkana. The committee must meet at the request of the Chairman. A quorum will decide what needs to be done to avert security failure.
Look at the empty tins in PF ….Aunty Maggie Dizzy has postponed the introduction of Sale Tax system after so much was spent without consulting stake holders its starting to sink in, what a bunch of arrogant time-wasters!!!
I am beginning to think something is wrong with you. How can you be so negative on everything and what really has president, his family and the PF done to you? In my opinion, you are the pre PF cadres who supported it in the hope of getting an appointment. Well, welcome to the club of wishful thinkers. Politicians are like hallots. They can change they mind any time. Otherwise, goodluck and I hope you dont die from hypertension or heart attack. Mind you servers can be traced.
Austerity measures. Government can’t afford to open the university as students will start rioting again at delayed meal allowances. Chiluba kept UNZA closed for 1 year. It time for the CBU students to contribute to austerity measures.
Please also fight for the expelled students to be reinstated they were protesting for everyone being a mother seeing the way students struggle and then have a child expelled is inhuman four years of academicia to be thrown out the window is not a joke the government needs to do more then these riots will not take place
Government republic of Lungu .how can you close the university to punish students.dont you think you affected innocent students?you are good in news of development but we don’t see what you publish . Zambian government has signed so many MOU but development.construction of airports no Zambian airways .how can you be busy with construction for foregners business?
Enough of these kids destroying innocent people’s properties and their own buildings that houses them. It is like burning your own house in rage forgetting you still need shelter. My grandson is a medical student like others who have been affected. Continue closing the damn thing before these irresponsible kids take someone’s life. How the hell do you even have the courage to grab a weapon from a police officer. Good thing the police are taught to maintain peace even under provocation. Try that with the red barrets in commandos. The kitwe morturary would be lardened with dead bodies. Learn to amicably resolve issues without injurying innocent people. Stupid *****s, mwebana bamashilu imwe. If your parents have money, who is stopping you to go to any university around the world?