Dr. Kaingu
The PF Government has abolished the payment of meal, book and project allowances for state-sponsored students at the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU).
And Government has indicated that it may re-open the the two highest learning institutions in the country on or around the 10th of April 2016 upon fulfilling certain conditions.
Higher education minister Michael Kaingu announced this when delivering a ministerial statement to Parliament this afternoon.
Dr. Kaingu claimed that the decision to scrap off the allowances was meant to open up space for the introduction of the Students Loans and Scholarship Scheme in January 2017.
He also claimed Government is withdrawing the facility because it has been abused over the years and had become a source of student unrest at the two institutions.
Dr Kaingu however emphasised that what Government has done is not strange as it already does not pay meal allowances at other public universities such as Mulungushi and Mukuba.
And the minister disclosed to the house that government had slapped conditions on management of both Universities if they were to open.
Dr. Kaingu said students will have to sign a commitment form not to indulge in protests and that management should enforce strict use of the student I.D and the installation of security camera’s on campus.
He told Parliament that the University that will not meet these conditions will not be re-opened.
He further disclosed that all those that were identified and names submitted to the Ministry as the ring leaders of the violent protests will be expelled
Dr Kaingu said the expulsion will include the students, lecturers and the staff, as their actions are inimical to the academic life of the universities.
He said managements at the universities must surcharge all students who are on Government Bursary for damage caused to property, both public and at the universities.