GOVERNMENT will introduce a loan scheme for students in higher learning institutions before the end of this year to reduce dependence on public financing for operations, Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Michael Kaingu has said.

Dr Kaingu told a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that Government’s new approach to finance higher education is premised on the need to establish a mechanism for learners to pay back the loans upon completion of their studies.

“There has been wide expectation from school- leavers that Government will automatically provide bursaries and living allowances, which has largely caused student protests. But the increase in the demand for higher education will not allow us to sponsor all students and that is the main reason why we want to establish this loan,” Dr Kaingu said.

The minister said Government wants to establish a sustainable way of sponsoring students that will compel them to pay back the money.

He said his ministry is working with all stakeholders in the design and implementation of the new approach toward a sustainable and equitable financing system, which will result in the production of professionals who will contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

“My ministry is determined to ensure the development of the higher education sector in Zambia through the establishment and operation of both public and private higher education institutions,” Dr Kaingu said.

He also dispelled speculations that Government will not sponsor first year students at the Copperbelt University (CBU).

The Zambia National Students Union has welcomed Government’s move to introduce a loan scheme for students.

ZANASU president Humphrey Mwenya, who is also COBUSU president, said the loan scheme has always been there but that Government has not been able to recover the money from students after completion of their studies.

“Government should come up with mechanisms to take back the money so that it can be used to help other students. I also appeal to the bursaries committee to release the names of students who have applied for bursaries on time so that CBU resumes classes on time,” Mr Mwenya said.

Government has provided coffins and blankets to all the 17 Mazabuka accident victims that died in the early hours of Monday.

Acting Mazabuka District Commissioner, Wilson Siadunka, disclosed to ZANIS in Mazabuka this morning that government, through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), provided the necessary logistics needed for burial.

Mr Siadunka said apart from buying coffins and blankets for the dead, government also provided food and transport for all relatives of the deceased, some of whom came as far as Chipata in the Eastern Province.

He disclosed that from the 17 deceased persons, 11 bodies were on Tuesday transported to Lusaka, two to Monze District and one body was transported to Chipata for burial.

Mr Siadunka further explained that three other bodies were buried in Mazabuka yesterday following the advice given by their family members who allowed burial to take place within the district.

The Acting District Commissioner has thanked relatives of the deceased for what he termed as high levels of cooperation and maturity during the process of identifying the bodies, saying without their support the task would not have been an easy one.

A total of 17 people died on the spot after the Fuso fighter truck they were traveling in from Lusaka to Monze District lost control and rammed into Mazabuka Shoprite Checkers building around 01:00 hours in the early hours of Monday.

A joint funded study has revealed that most vulnerable children migrating to Zambia originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This study was funded by the European Union and commissioned by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

According to the statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today by the UNHCR, the majority of the children intend to settle in Zambia while the remainder travel with their parents without knowing where to settle.

The UNHCR states that the survey showed most of the migrants enter Zambia through the Northern and North-western boarders which include Mpulungu, Kaputa, Mporokoso, Kasumbalesa, Nakonde and Mwinilunga.

Furthermore the report, which was unveiled recently, shows that most irregular migrants particularly those for DRC usually board a ship heading to Mpulungu or sometimes go to Tanzania.

“Most migrant children are accompanied, with only 2.3 percent unaccompanied” reveals the report.

The study conducted under a joint programme called “Thematic programme on migration and asylum”, is aimed at giving support to the Zambian government to mitigate the vulnerability and increase protection of children at risk of trafficking and exploitation due to migration.

The study is also aimed at providing recommendations to enhance registration, assessment, referral and provision of protective services and support required for upgrading of immigration systems for data collection and management in border areas.

The report was conducted at selected entry points and migrant host communities such as Nakonde, Kasumbalesa, Mwami and Chirundu.

Four migrant hosting communities in Lusaka and the refugee host communities were also assessed.

The Islamic Supreme Council of Zambia says young Zambians should be cautious of attempts by some people who may try to persuade them to join Islamic state militants.

A 15 year old South African girl from Cape Town was arrested at the city’s airport after receiving information that she was leaving the country to join ISIS.The girl was taken off a flight at Cape Town International Airport after her relatives contacted authorities reporting her disappearance on Sunday.

Council President said in an interview that Muslims in Zambia are peace loving and should report any persons attempting to radicalize them into joining Islamic militants.He has since advised the Zambian government to screen people coming into the country as might be linked to Islamic militants.

‘Our word of caution as Muslims in Zambia is that we should be wary of these bad elements that use violence and hate in the name of Islam,’ Mr Zimba said.Mr Zimba said the influx of foreigners seeking asylum in Zambia should be a wake up for authorities to step up the screening processing.

‘I would like to advise the young people in Zambia to immediately report to the police anyone attempting to recruit them to join groups such as ISIS because it does not pay to join these groups terrorising innocent people,’ he said.

He added, ‘Young Muslims should follow true teachings of Islam which does not encourage violence. In Zambia, we have lived peacefully and we should safeguard this peace jealously.’
Mr Zimba said, ‘the fear is that these asylum seekers and many foreigners that are flocking here it means Zambia could be at risk and become a platform for them to start recruiting young Muslims.’