Speaking through a TV interview , Luo said the 2019 decision to remove the allowances was taken because only two universities were benefiting from the programme at the time.
She explained that the decision was aimed at creating fairness by ensuring that more students in different institutions could benefit from government support.
“On the day of judgment, I will not be penalised for that. If anything, God will celebrate me for making it possible for all universities, colleges and trade schools to benefit,” Luo said.
She compared the situation to a family where only two children receive support while others receive none, saying the government had to find a way to extend assistance to all institutions.
Luo also stated that support for students in colleges, trade schools and universities began during her tenure as minister, not after 2021.
“Today, not from 2021, but from the time I was Minister of Higher Education, all the colleges, all the trade schools, all the universities, students were benefiting. So no one should credit UPND and say this is the first time it has happened from 2021. It is not true,” she said.
According to Luo, when she assumed office there were three operational public universities: the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University and Mulungushi University. She said only students at the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University were receiving meal allowances at the time, and in limited numbers.
“The meal allowance was not a decision I made alone. It was discussed with parents and students and taken to Cabinet for approval,” Luo said.
She explained that the government introduced a skills levy to help support students across colleges and trade schools.
Luo also said a loan scheme was introduced to allow graduates from institutions such as the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University to repay loans, with the funds then used to support other students.
She added that these measures allowed government support to be extended to all seven universities that had become operational at the time.
