CBU indefinite closure is bigger than most people think - COBUSU SG

By Staff Reporter 

Copperbelt University Student Union (COBUSU), Secretary General, Lukwesa Alfred has commended the Copperbelt University (CBU) students who have taken time and sacrificed their resources to champion for the opening of our institution.

Mr Lukwesa has equally appreciated the efforts of the Media Houses in trying to ensure that their calls are heard. 

“These calls are not only coming from CBU students but from musicians, authors and other well meaning citizens of this country who not only sympathize with us but understand the gravity of this situation, and its impact on Mother Zambia,” he explains. 

Mr Lukwesa says that the indefinite closure of the Copperbelt University is not a problem for CBU students. 

 It's bigger than most people would like to think. In a smaller circle, this is just a problem from within the education sector, and so, only the Minister of Education should have sleepless nights over it. Quite true but the wider spectrum says Hon. Michael Kaingu MP, should be more than concerned. He should realize and remember that he's running a ministry that connects to all other ministries, and so, an in-house problem or setback entails that the other ministries will consequently suffer. The earlier he attended to the problem, the better,” he says adding that one of the engineering students at the institution might just design a system or propose a project that might just mitigate the unbearable loadshedding we are having or any other student's project can be used to alleviate the many problems we are facing as a country. 

He alleges that the actualization of this, and many other dreams are being stalled all because of a situation innocent students have no hand in. 

“The country should also realize that we are in 2015, a year we had set for the realization of Millennium Development Goals. I believe we are still far away from that because of such closures, and politicking of small issues. I'm not being a pessimist here but the truth is, we shall not achieve them, in their entirety. However, we can always try to push forward and get closer to the goals. One of those goals borders on achieving comprehensive primary education for the young citizens of this country but of what use is that if the future is bleak, and the government cannot fully manage the very few universities and other tertiary institutions we have?” Mr Lukwesa laments. 

Mr Lukwesa charges that Mulungushi University had water problems, followed by salary issues. 

“UNZA lecturers will hold onto results until they are paid what is owed to them, Evelyn Hone had exam related issues, and CBU is closed now. Where is this country really headed for?” he wonders. 

He suggests that government should really take a leaf from Singapore and see just what a revamped education sector can do to a country. 

“Singapore has escaped the 3rd World Country brackets and now has an education system that is even admired by the richest of nations in this world. As for my institution, the Copperbelt University; the government should ensure that it's opened in the shortest period of time so that students can get back to their books,” Mr Lukwesa explains. 

In its mediation, Mr Lukwesa says government should just ensure that classes resume first and then the involved parties should carry on with their negotiations, simple. 

“The frequent meetings being called upon of late are just adding more salt to the wounds students are suffering from as they are not yielding anything other than consuming money through allowances. That said, I would like to implore H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu to look into our issue and accord it the utmost of attention as it has the capacity to change the economic, social and political image of this country. It should also be pointed out that CBU students, like any other citizen, have the right to comment on any issue freely without being labeled as political vuvuzelas. That is enshrined in our constitution,” he says.