THE Copperbelt University Academics Union (CBUAU) has commended Government for dissolving the Copperbelt University (CBU) council.
CBUAU general-secretary Kawunga Nyirenda said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that Government’s move to dissolve the CBU council is a step in the right direction.
Dr Nyirenda said the council was not doing its work of supervising CBU management and that the union is happy that Government has acted on one of its recommendations.
Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Michael Kaingu dissolved the council on Thursday.
“It is a welcome move. The council was not doing its job of supervising CBU management. The minister is beginning to address our issues. We are hopeful that the caretaker council will do its job of supervising management,” Dr Nyirenda said.
The minister has retained Friday Ndhlovu as chairperson, others are Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education permanent secretary Patrick Nkanza and CBUAU president Mwiya Songolo.
Others on the interim council are Owen Mgemezulu, Henry Tukombe, both directors at the Ministry of Education, CBU lecturer Patrick Phiri, Copperbelt University Students Union (COBUSU) president Humphrey Mwenya and Lucy Mungoma of University of Lusaka.
Speaking when he dissolved the CBU council, Dr Kaingu said the decision was in line with an agreement with CBUAU to re-open the university that was embroiled in confusion.
And Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) vice-president Prince Ndoyi said what Dr Kaingu has done is in the best interest of CBU.
“It is a welcome move though late. We expected this move a lot earlier. We can only hope that the newly-constituted caretaker committee shall and must be more proactive and responsive to the challenges affecting the institution.
“It is in the same vein that we are also delighted at the appointment of ZANASU president Humphrey Mwenya to the new committee. It is encouraging that Government recognises the great need to engage youths and student leaders in decisions affecting us,” Mr Ndoyi said.
He said ZANASU is disappointed with the prevailing situation at the University of Zambia, where results for students have been withheld because of unresolved issues lecturers have with authorities.
He called for the immediate release of the results and urged Government to intervene in the matter.
….’the decision was in line with an agreement with CBUAU to re-open the University…’….meanwhile CBUAU had declared that they were calling off their strike UNCONDITIONALLY….?????