Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) Director Michael Chilala has cautioned graduating teachers from various institutions of learning against engaging themselves in examination malpractices.

Dr. Chilala said examination malpractices compromise the quality of education at all levels.

He said this in a speech read for him by ECZ Certification Assistant Director Kunda Kuku during the 6TH Graduation of the Northern College of Education in Kasama over the weekend.

“My message to you all graduates is never involve yourselves in examination malpractices, instead go and help the fight against this enemy of our education system,” Dr. Chilala said.

He also cautioned lecturers against making up fake results of continuous assessments for their preferred students as doing so would adversely compromise education standards.

Dr. Chilala said continuous assessments form a critical part of final examinations and should therefore be handled with the seriousness it deserves.

“Students will no longer be writing three examinations but will be writing once in their final year. This move will empower and give more time to lecturers to prepare students through continuous assessment,” Dr. Chilala said.

He said ECZ has put in place a robust monitoring and modernization programme for continuous assessments to administer teacher examinations more efficiently.

And Acting Kasama District Commissioner Beauty Namukoko urged the graduating students to effectively contribute to the provision of quality education to the learners.

Ms. Namukoko said it is also imperative for teachers to take good care of themselves by desisting from engaging in illicit sex and excessive beer drinking.

She said the new dawn government remains committed to the provision of employment in the education sector as evidenced in the 30,000 jobs to be created next year.

Speaking at the same function, Northern College of Education Principal Margret Phiri reaffirmed management’s commitment to provision of quality education.

Meanwhile, Northern Province Education Officer Grace Sinkolongo urged all education teachers training colleges to produce graduates of high quality for the benefit of the labour market and the learners.

The graduation ceremony was characterized by a variety of entertainment to the excitement of the graduates and hundreds of people that turned up to be part of the celebration.

President Hakainde Hichilema has praised the efforts of the AU Election Observation Mission during the country’s transition period.

President Hichilema says the team played a key role in the last general election and provided leadership at a critical time.

Speaking when the team led by former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma paid a courtesy call on him at State House, President Hichilema said a peaceful transition during elections assures to some extent stability not only in Zambia but Africa as a who
e.

President Hichilema also called for inclusive governance systems for countries to ensure stability.

He said the Government appreciates the submission of the final election report and his administration is ready to implement remedial measures.

And, Dr. Koroma said the AU mission has changed its style of operations by not only ending observation missions but rendering support to countries that need it after the elections.

He said his team while in the country has since scheduled meetings with Government ministries, the Electoral Commission of Zambia, political parties, and security agencies among others, that participated in the electoral process.

The Former Sierra Leone leader led an AU team that monitored Zambia’s August 12 polls.

Management of the University of Zambia (UNZA) says demands by the three Unions that top management including Vice-Chancellor Prof. Luke Mumba vacate offices at the whim of certain individuals or groupings is a recipe for anarchy and a flagrant breach of the law.

UNZA Management says the law is quite lucid on how a Vice-Chancellor or indeed any member of top management can vacate their offices.

The Three unions resolved and demanded the removal of top management led by Professor Luke Mumba following a general members’ meeting held at the University of Zambia’s Great East Road campus on November 5.

The unions are the University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers’ Union (UNZALARU), University of Zambia Professional Staff Union (UNZAPRU) and the University of Zambia Allied Workers’ Union (UNZAAWU) and are demanding that Prof Mumba and his team be dismissed for allegedly mismanaging the institution the last five Years.

According to a statement signed by the three union representatives Dr Kelvin Mambwe, Nalucha Mayamba and Mupuna Moonga, the top UNZA management has never worked in the interest of the workers.

“Professor Mumba’s leadership style is inimical to progress and industrial harmony in the University. We, the three (3) Trade Unions at the University of Zambia (University of Zambia Lecturers and Researchers’ Union, University of Zambia Professional Staff Union; University of Zambia Allied Workers’ Union), would like to inform the general public of the current unpleasant state of affairs at the University of Zambia,” the statement read in part.

“This state has arisen out of mismanagement of the University by those appointed to superintend on the affairs of the University. At the general members’ meeting held at the University of Zambia Great East Road campus on Friday, 5th November, 2021 at which the status of various challenges being faced by the institution were debated, the three Unions resolved and demand as follows…”

Further, the unions are demanding immediate payment, without illegal conditions, of all gratuities and pension owed to serving staff whose backlog stand at 10 years.
The unions have also recommended immediate conclusion of the 2021 collective bargaining, improvement of conditions of service and withdrawal of the court case against UNZAPROSU, which is about the 2021 negotiations for improved conditions of service.
“It should be noted that we the trade unions at the University of Zambia have for the past years desisted to engage ourselves in activities which could have resulted in serious industrial unrest but with the issues highlighted above we are now unable to guarantee any industrial harmony at this institution,’’ they said further.”

“Despite giving chance to dialogue and the due process of engagement and conflict management, nothing meaningful has been achieved.”

The three leaders maintained that the unions would continue to protest until their demands were met.

But in a statement issued today, UNZA Acting Head of Communication and Marketing Damaseke Chibale says Management at UNZA has learnt of the demands by the three Unions namely, UNZALARU, UNZAPROSU and UNZAAWU with a sense of surprise.

Mr. Chibale says Management has always engaged in social dialogue with all the Unions to resolve any grievances that they may have from time to time.

He said this dialogue also includes Collective Bargaining which has been going on since early this year.

Mr. Chibale said Management finds the allegations that it does not dialogue with the Unions to be unfortunate and untruthful.

And Mr. Chibale says the matter regarding the payment of terminal benefits for serving members of staff has been taken to court.

He has clarified that the total debt that the university owes in respect of gratuities and pension benefits stands around K700 million.

Minister of Green Economy and Environment Hon. Collins Nzovu has held talks with the Ban Ki Moon Centre for Global Citizens (BKMC), seeking support towards Zambia’s climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

During a meeting held on the side-lines of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, the Minister emphasised the need for close cooperation and Zambia’s commitment to scale-up mitigation and adaptation measures to combat climate change.

Mr. Nzovu, who was accompanied by Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Msimuko, thanked the Ban Ki-moon Centre (BKMC) for considering Zambia to be a partner in agriculture adaptation.

He told BKMC Chief Executive Officer Monika Froehler and Chief Operations Officer Katrina Harvey that Zambia has prioritised adaptation and building resilience of the agriculture sector.

He further explained that Zambia is in the process of developing its National Adaptation Plan that will focus on strengthening national level coordination frameworks and processes for mainstreaming climate change adaptation into national, sub-national and sectoral development planning.

“Agriculture and water availability are one of the prioritised sectors in the National Adaptation Plan that will need urgent attention and support if we are to achieve our adaptation aspirations,” Mr. Nzovu said. “Zambia looks forward to continued partnerships as we advance the cause of this initiative.”

The Minister welcomed the Ban Ki Moon Centre’s project called Elevating Agriculture Adaptation (EAA).

He said the Elevating Agriculture Adaptation project has come at the right time when Africa is facing many climate change challenges like extreme temperatures, droughts and floods.

Mr. Nzovu said these climate change-induced challenges have huge negative impact on the agriculture sector by reducing productivity, and causing food insecurity.

The Elevating Agricultural Adaptation is a two-year programme that the BKMC will implement aimed at tackling agricultural adaptation of small-holder farmers, and elevating commitments to building climate resilience of small-holder farmers through advocacy and awareness-raising.

Immediate past Secretary General of the United Nations His Excellency Ban Ki-moon and former President of Austria His Excellency Heinz Fischer co-chair the BKMC, which is based in Austria.

The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in the Copperbelt province has advised residents to follow set guidelines before building houses.

Copperbelt Regional DMMU Coordinator, George Akalemwa said a lot of families have become vulnerable because of overlooking certain measures and advice from experts.

Mr Akalemwa said this after visiting the 42 families whose houses had their roofs blown off while others had their houses demolished following a heavy hail storm in Luanshya district.

He advised residents not to build in water logged areas but instead follow prescribed instructions from building experts.

He further assured people that his office will embark on disaster risk reduction sensitization programmes as a measure to mitigate disasters.

“One basic thing that we would want communities to do is not to construct houses in a manner that they become a hazard to us and our family members,” he said.

Mr Akalemwa pledged government support through the DMMU but urged communities to play a role in ensuring that they do not build their houses in water logged areas.

And Luanshya Acting district Commissioner, Kasemuka Mwalo observed most people do not follow proper guidelines when erecting a structure hence resulting in having a disaster whenever the rain season begins.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Makozo Chikote says there need for farmers to venture into alternative ways of making fish feed cheaper if the aquaculture industry is to improve.

Mr Chikote says the alternative ways of making fish feed cheaper is by encouraging more farmers to grow soya beans.

He explained that government is committed to making fish farming an economic activity that will contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Speaking when he toured Aler Aqua a fish feed production company in Siavonga district, Mr Chikote said Zambia has a great potential of exporting fish through the creation of an enabling environment for local fish farmers to grow.

“We need to stop importing fish but we must think of exporting it because we have what is required to go on the international market” he noted.

And First Wave Group Country Director Daniel Ulric says the company will not shy away from working with government in improving the aquaculture industry.

He disclosed that the company is expected to start promoting small holder farmers by buying soya beans from them.

Mr Ulric , who is also Yalelo Fish company’s Chief Executive Officer, said his company is excited to contribute towards the growth of fish industry in Zambia.

“We are producing 4000 fingerlings per week and we expect to grow this number , “ he said

Meanwhile, Siavonga Constituency Member of Parliament Darius Mulundu who encouraged Siavonga residents to venture into fish farming, said the area is endowed with a water body which can be utilised for fish production at a small and larger scale.

He reaffirmed government’s commitment towards improving people’s Livelihoods through the aquaculture industry.

The Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) has dispelled accessions that it has sold the Barotse Flood Plains.

BRE Ngambela (Prime Minister) Manyando Mukela says it is untrue that the plain has been sold to the plain have been sold to the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC) and the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), respectively.

Disclosing this during a press briefing held at the Kuta Palace for the Litunga of Western Province in Limulunga District, the Ngambela said it was contrary to the Lozi custom to sell any part of the Barotse plain.

” If there are some individuals that were selling BRE land to others anywhere in Barotseland, then they were abrogating the Lozi tradition, ” he said.

The Ngambela maintained that the BRE has not agreed or signed anywhere with NHCC and UNESCO to enlist the Barotse Flood Plains to becomes a world heritage site as the issue was still under consideration.

He however said that all well-meaning Lozis are free to forward their opinions whether the Barotse Flood Plains can be enlisted by NHCC and UNESCO to become a world heritage site.

At the same press briefing, the BRE Ngambela (Prime Minister) Manyando Mukela says the royal establishment focuses a good rainfall during the 2021-2022 farming season.

The Ngambela appealed to the people of Barotseland to heighten preparations for this farming season so that they can harvest enough for their households.