UNZASU Treasurer writes Lungu, says students are now lingering in communities | WestMac Media

By Staff Writer, Lusaka 

University of Zambia Student Union Outgoing Treasurer, Elvis Mulai has written to the Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu with regards to the opening of the University of Zambia and Copperbelt University. 

Mulai says UNZA has been closed for 6 months now. 

“Mr President Sir, you may wish to know that UNZA has been closed for six months now. Which means students have been away from acquiring the very vital knowledge which is understood as the best investment in the world (investment in education),” he says. 

In a letter, Mulai acknowledged that the two institutions were stopped from being re-opened due to the cholera outbreak that stroke the country in the past one month. 

“I wish to send my sincere gratitude towards the manner in which your Government through the ministry of local Government and the minister of health joined hands to ensure that the deadly pandemic was fought with all powerful weapons, till we see it fallen. Well done, to the two ministries under your leadership,” he commended. 

He said a nation can not be clarified as developing if it's citizens are not having access to quality and life impacting education for the reason that students are the leaders - Doctors, Engineers, Teachers etc.,..of tomorrow. 

“It is due to this very fact that your Government decided to form the ministry of higher education with the mandate the mandate of enhancing higher education sector to decent standards in the country, as well as collaborating with management boards of these various higher learning institutions in order to finding suitable solutions to the problems faced by higher learning institutions, problems such as lack of funding, accommodation crisis, lack of quality and enough facilities to suit high enrollment rates,” said Mulai. 

Mulai stated that in PF party manifesto, education has been highlighted as one vital sector to be given priority as government focus on improving the lives of Zambians. 

“However, our higher learning institution (UNZA) to be precise, has been closed for a long time now without a proper road map to its opening. The bearing impacts of this action is that our higher education system is slowly coming compromised. Youths who are expected to learn are now idle lingering in our communities, standards of these learning institutions are slowly degrading. Therefore, as our head of state these factors should be a matter of concern,” he stated. 

He understood that UNZA and CBU have face regrettable challenges at the expense of their opening. 

“However, the Government is expected to play a vital role (that of providing solutions, to the already known problems) in this case finding quick, yet sustainable measures in order to open the named institutions with the positive inputs of various stakeholders of higher education sector. It is also with great regret that, it has been noticed that banning of students representation has been targeted as the solution to the problems higher learning institutions face today e.g (recent banning of UNZASU, COBUSU and MUSU). It is unfortunate because these committees are vital stakeholders, who have works on records that has added value to these institutions. If well engaged, students unions are quality partners in the welfare of any institution. Therefore, I appeal to The ministry of higher education to reconsider and embrace consultations, teamwork and unite for a common good virtues,” Mulai explained. 

Mulai pointed that like any individual the head of state for sure has a caring heart towards UNZA and CBU. 

“Witnessed by your good will of contributions in your personal capacity and as government made towards UNZA alumni fundraising dinner amounting to K91 million. Mr President Sir, I still call on you and you alone to intervene in the current silent killing problem we have at UNZA and CBU. You are our President, our alumni, our father, and the only person who has been given the mandate to run this country for the next 5 years in order to provide nation development to mother Zambia,” he said. 

Mulai also appealed to President Lungu not to withdraw his hand as his help is needed more than ever adding that for because these institutions to open, funding is needed. 

“This includes money for completion of the hostel building project, renovations, and overall sanitation of hotels and University premises,” he stated. 

 He further stated that a caring parent takes no pleasure in seeing his children not acquiring education. 

In conclusion, Mulai suggested a few measures that could be put in place in order to speed up the opening process of UNZA and CBU. 

“A committee should be put forward to look at the way forward, to explore sustainable solutions towards the current problem faced by the two institutions of higher learning in the country. Secondly, government should compliment the efforts of both managements by helping them with funds to speed up the rehabilitation process and sanitation problems. Thirdly, procurement process might take long, however, Government could help by engaging Zambia Procurement Authority in sourcing for a reliable company to speed up the works. Fourth, UNZA and CBU must put in permanent committees that should preside over maintenance fees paid by students for rehabilitation purposes in order to insure paid monies are put to good use/ intended purposes and lastly, a call on well wishers should be made by both UNZA management and the government to consider extending their community service virtues to UNZA and CBU just like the good works done the fight against spread of cholera,” he proposed.