GOVERNMENT has revised the selection process in the award of various foreign scholarships to ensure transparency and that every Zambian has an equal opportunity to access education.
Education, Science and Vocational Training Minister, John Phiri said in Lusaka yesterday that the Government had changed the selection process to give equal opportunities to all Zambians.
“We have not received any formal complaint, but we have changed the selection process to give an opportunity to everyone,” he said.
He said the current process would ensure that all applicants were interviewed by a broad-based panel chaired by Deputy Minister Novelyn Wilombe.
“There is a broad range of people who sit on the interview panel and some not from the Ministry of Education,” he said.
Some people who had applied for foreign scholarships had been complaining that the scheme only seemed to benefit those with “connections” with senior Government officials.[pullquote]We just discovered that only some ministers’ children and relatives of former ministers in the MMD were the ones benefiting.[/pullquote]
The minister said so far, the Government had completed the process of awarding scholarships from Russia and that the awarding of Chinese scholarships would follow soon.
A teacher in the Ministry of Education who sought anonymity for fear of victimisation complained to the Times of Zambia last weekend that for the past six years, he had attempted to access the scholarships but had failed.
“I am qualified, with a first degree for that matter from the University of Zambia. I have been applying for these scholarships and I have even attended interviews but never picked.
“We just discovered that only some ministers’ children and relatives of former ministers in the MMD were the ones benefiting.
“We only hope that President Michael Sata and the new Government will deal with this matter because some of us have no connections and only depend on our inherent right of being citizens of Zambia,” he said.
The teacher appealed to the Government to put in place a transparent mechanism through which the scholarships could be awarded to deserving Zambians.
[Times of Zambia]
Sounds fair but practice it not just talking
not all have connections ,some of us we passed the exams which were conducted at the university of zambia.we ve no connections.results speaks
In general terms, the selection process has been a problem for a long time. I was once a victim of the scholarships through the Bursaries Committee. I was awarded a scholarship and called to complete paper work in Lusaka to go to Germany. When I got there the tricks to fend me off started. You could see the scheming was already planned. ANother colleague of mine had just tried in vain to get the paper work done. He ended up frustrated and disillusioned. He gave up the fight! When going out he warned me and could only believe when mine failed also.
You mean we first have to sit for some tests first? Is that post or undergrad?
These scholarships have been like exams answer sheets which can only be seen by the ‘big’ eye- The Teacher.
It’s actually long over due for this drastic change, and i would give the boma this free advise. Advertise scholarships, make public names of shortlisted n finally a list of selected candidates.
Scholarships are always advertised in the paper and on notice boards at the Bursaries Committee. I do not think you have ever bothered reading in the papers or going to inquire from the Bursaries Office. Most Scholarships to Russia and China are advertised about this time of the year my friend.You have internet and you can check from the respective embassies too!!
I was awarded a scholarship to India and so were two friends of mine purely on merit after an submitting a research proposal which was accepted and then followed by an interview . I know friends who have gone to China and Russia on merit too. Corruption in the process cannot be completely ruled out. An important message to the teacher who was not selected after so man y attempts and to other potential applicants is that you must prepare a very good research proposal which entails how Zambia will benefit from your studies. Other certificates like TOEFL, IELTS AND GRE gives advantages.
Mulondwe, i agree with you. Am also a recipient of the commonwealth scholarship here in the UK. It not just a good pass that is considered. Most people graduate with very good grades, but its the quality of the proposal that is used to separate candidates during the selection process. Thumps up to you for highlighting this.
Good that they have noticed that though it is difficulty to ward 10 or 100 scholarships to more than 2000 applicants. Always those who will not be picked will complain. The best Govt has to increase bursaries at our high learning institution so that everyone will be accommodated.
Corruption wont end as long as the leaders dont stop putting thier relatives in top positions. Who doesnt know that Wilombe is related to the King Cobra?
Why put Wilombe to be in charge? A relation to Sata again. Corrupt practices will not stop pa “Z”
but MMD really got zed for a ride huh..? great move PF
The greatest connection is God.
Amen
Hallelujah!
Pf and promises! They don’t honour them. This is only meant to blind us.
I got my scholarship by God’s connection. It may sound nonsense…That’s how I succeeded (& has since already graduated with Masters & is working). “Oh ye of little faith”
We need transparency in selecting candidates for all the scholarships whether foreign or local. It has to be on merit basis and the priority areas or disciplines. Osati wako niko. Some of us benefited during KK era on merit.
This is so true. I hope this comes to an end serouslly. It is so frastrating to know that some scholaship was given to a person thats not qualified and all he/she goes to do that side is sleep around, party and do drugs in place of a person that really and passionately needs it
If i recall very well Dora Siliya’s son had a sholarship to study in England.Is this not a clear case of abuse of authrity of office?
Good move, but you need an independent panel, why deputy minister??? Also extend this to the UNZA and CBU bursaries, why should children of well to do get 100% bursaries whilst orphans only 75% or nothing at all, please investigate and do the right thing. Also Govt should consider giving education loan shemes to students for both govt colleges and universities and draft modalities for pay back once in employment- food for thought……….
since those are loans I think everyone who needs them should be given. I was hate when I was denied a bursary this year when I realy needed to be in school yes I have parents but are unable to pay for me. we are all Zambians but this issue of connections really disadvantage some of us the government should do something.
This was long over due. You only know that zambians access some scholarships when you meet some of them in the these countries. I wish to volunteer to be on these panel to help mother zambia.
LT is this news sure??? A broad 24man interview panel headed by the Deputy Minister of Education is how these scholarships have been allocated since time immemorial. The other side of the story is perhaps the teacher in question never had the academic grades necessary to qualify for the said scholarships…[-(
Scholarships and Bursaries have always been skewed in a certain ethno-direction and we have always known this fact.Just pick up any daily news paper showing the latest bursary allocations into the local universities and you see what i mean. Also notice the examination cut off point and how they are distributed,these are issues we have always known.
Those scholarships you are crying about are what I may call “Chintobentobe” or “Changanya”. Those of us who got prestigius and highly regarded scholarships always got them on pure merit, as there is maximum quality control when enrolling. Bringing in a politician to sit on the panel will just worsen the scenario. Zambian politicians are well known for favouring the finger that feeds them. Remember one foo.li.sh Minister who once included the son of RB in his WILL? Such is the caliber of most of the Zambian politicians. Surprising that almost every blogger here has been lifting amabolo in the air praising this highly questionable announcement. Leave technocrats to do those interviews. Very soon those scholarships will be tied to by-elections. Sober up you guys.
Where is my contibution ba FIK.A.LA ba LT? Ukutumpa!
Suddenly President Sata from Mpika is related to Professor Wilombe from Mbala. Whence these lies?
Way to go we need transparency.
Instead of increasing the pairs of legs and eyes sitting to scrutinize, start reducing the interaction of “human committees” by adopting some of these computer-based selection systems until, perhaps, the very last stages of selection. That way some form of restraint will be instilled. That is e-government at work… I hope a task force is already hard at work on this.
Good move. Though I must mention that some of us on scholarship merit them.
to exclude scholarships to Russia, I hope?
Tears of a crocodile! Pretends to cry as it sharpens its teeth to grab. Cheers
bring students to Russia with six points like me!
and also try to gender balance the selection, we’re lacking girls here
Well, I had no connections at all but got my scholarship based on merit. I am now a proud holder of a Masters in Economics/International Finance.
I don’t what’s the NEW CRITERIA here because the deputy minister has always chaired the selecting committes with reps from respective embasies. I was interviewed by a panel of about 30 people. lol
Praise not yourself. Put your selection process in operation and the results will reveal how transparent the process is . The real news is the teacher calling for a transparent system of awarding scholarships. I believe the minister is simply saying that he has changed the board in favour of the ruling party, PF, the same as is the status in government.
Wise move but remove any politician from Chairing such a committee
Marubish, we need scholarships to europe, china and russia are useless more especially to undergraduates who need a good foundation in their career. I suggest should the government continue recieveing these schorlaships, zambia needs to send Masters and above to china / russia whilst undergrads send them to english speaking countries Vis-avis europe, USA
Good move!
Though I was awarded the scholaraship on merit here on the island and I was shocked….shocked because when I came here,a lot of Zambian students were sons and daughters of PS and Minisers,I’m GLAD THAT THEY ARE GONE THOUGH…not to mention how many times they repeated here!
Bravo to the miniser…don’t bring PF fans though….ke ke ke….
Just a piece of advice to the Minister….
Please, recall all those sons and daughters of the MMD officials studying in different countries just like you did to those who were serving in diplomatic missions…KE KE KE KE
VIVA PF
for transparency pubilsh the names and strong points for eash student seleceted f
This miniter looks like Daniel Munkombwe are they related or he is Munkombwes son, but he did not adopt the fathers surname because he abandoned him. A commission of inquiry is needed please
Don’t just blame MMD do what is right and people will appreciates your efforts. hope you don’t want to grab these scholarships from MMD guys and give them to PF guys like what sata has done to the civil service, firing MMD caders and replacing them with PF caders. we’re watching you, John Phiri with your corruption government
Oh cmon what have you changed? This is a big joke.
Does our govt award scholarships (undergrad) to canada,usa,uk,nu zealand nd australia? I’d like to study abroad but I dnt even know wen to apply…if the new system is truly transparent,way to go
Curruption, curruption we are dying oh curruption is kiling us, everywhere it is curruption. check the police recruitment it is curruption, check the army recruitment it is ,check the prisons recruitment it is curruption, look at Russia scholorships it is curruption, look at local bursaries it is curruption, mawee curruption is killing us.
this sounds good.. lets wait and see.
i welcome the new criteria set for award of scholarships i do hope that the criteria is not just limited to foreign scholarships but extends to bursaries offered at C.B.U. and UNZA and indeed other colleges in the country. regarding the teacher complaining of not being awarded a scholarship, i note two things: 1. he dwells on the negative side of things some pipo like myself got a scholarship to study abroad without connections at all so its possible he could get one too. (2) he sounds to be full of himself and believes the name UNZA should be an impetus to favourable evaluation but its not the case as the grade and strength of the degree differs from one university to the other depending on pass marks and so on and so forth. lastly the teacher needs to be weary of writing good motivation
I have been accepted to pursue my masters degree in Health Psychology at IST college in Greece under the university of Hertfordshire in the UK. Is it possible for the Zambian government to offer me a scholarship. the course starts in September 2013 and the amount needed is 10200 Euros. How do i go about it.
kindly send me the links to the scholarship
you should be checking the universities you send our pipo,dont send pipo any how just bcoz its abroad, make sure it a prestigious and reputable university, 4 the betterment of our nation
you should be checking the universities you send our pipo,dont send pipo any how just bcoz its abroad, make sure it a prestigious and reputable university, 4 the betterment of our nation but keep up the gud work, promotes exposure to zambia
How do I go about applying for scholarship?. When do I start?
the government is just singing on the ruling out of corruption.the bursaries com.is very biased on giving scholarships to certain countries.i got excellent results at my grade 12 level,applied for a scholarship to china but i wasnt picked.to my surprise,people who didnt do as good as i did were picked for the scholarship.i got ones in all the 8 subjects,and my sciences were pure sciences,yet pipo with physical sciences and non competitive grades were picked instead.i still wallow in shock.may the bursaries comittee uphold the standards of the nation by doing thing in a way that will please God.they might think they own it all by their current positions in the social sector,but may they be reminded that what goes around,surely comes around.