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UNZASU writes to Rupiah over UNZA, govt standoff

UNZASU writes to Rupiah over UNZA, govt standoff
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Monday July 28, 2008 [04:00]

THE University of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) has written to Vice-President Rupiah Banda to intervene in the “standoff” between the university staff and the government to bring a lasting solution. In a letter dated July 23, 2008 and copied to minister of education, the education permanent secretary, UNZA vice chancellor, the Registrar and the Dean of Students, UNZASU vice-president Duncan Nyirongo and publicity and information secretary Exildah Akabana stated that the standoff that had dragged on for almost three weeks now without any indicators of a possible breakthrough was an apparent derailment of study programmes.

The union stated that some employers that had granted study leave to their employees would not permit their continued absence from work, especially that study leave permits had defined timeframes.
They stated that even when there was no serious business going on, the nation through the university continued to incur the fixed costs associated with the running of the institution.
They stated that those that were renting accommodation outside campus were also incurring extra costs outside what they had budgeted for.

They pleaded with the government to help the contending parties find a lasting solution to the problem, saying the matter should not be trivialised.

“Recognizing that this ‘status quo’ has negative effects on the student populace who have exercised a commendable degree of restraint (in the very trying period) but which should not be taken for granted, we the University of Zambia Students’ Union (UNZASU) leadership hereby appeal to your Honour the Vice-President of the Republic of Zambia, to intervene and bring a lasting solution to the impasse so that the situation may get back to normal and academic activities continue as before,” stated the union.

Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, UNZASU

posted by MrK @ 4:42 AM