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UNZASU writes PS over Bursaries Committee

UNZASU writes PS over Bursaries Committee
Written by Agness Changala and Masuzyo Chakwe
Friday, January 30, 2009 3:36:34 AM

UNIVERSITY of Zambia Students Union (UNZASU) publicity secretary Exildah Akabana yesterday said management has promised to pay meal allowances tomorrow after students at the institution rioted on Tuesday night over delayed payments.

And UNZASU has written to education permanent secretary to express its displeasure on the quality of service the students have been receiving from the Bursaries Committee.

Akabana said the riot by students on Tuesday night was sparked by management’s delays to settle meal allowances as most of them had no money for food.

“Normally the students receive their allowances three weeks after opening but now it’s five weeks since we opened on December, 22, 2008 and most students are complaining that things are difficult because they have no money,” she said.

She said the students were further frustrated when it was rumoured that they would be given their allowances after the budget presentation scheduled for tomorrow.

Akabana said the students were also not happy with the inconsistency in information being given regarding allowances.

She added that if concrete information was given, students would not have caused confusion.

Akabana further disclosed that students also stoned one vehicle for a motorist who was driving along the road during the process.

And UNZA public relations manager Mulenga Musepa expressed sadness at the students’ behaviour saying there were best ways of solving the problem than rioting.

Musepa said there could have been certain reasons that led to the delay in payment of meal allowances.

And in a letter dated January, 29, 2009 signed by the union's vice-president Duncan Nyirongo and the union's academic affairs secretary David Mkandawire and copied to education minister and the university’s vice-chancellor, the registrar and the dean of students, the union stated that the Bursaries Committee had in many instances been behind schedule in rendering its services to the students.

"This has adversely been affecting the students in their pursuance of the academic activities. It has at times led to agitation among students resulting into demonstrations that could be avoided if the Bursaries delivered its services on time and in a more satisfying manner," they stated.

The union stated that the students' meal, book and project allowances had on many occasions been delayed for no apparent reasons.

They stated that many students had been omitted from the payment schedules without any credible justification.

The union further stated that the quality of service that students were currently receiving from the Bursaries Committee did not enhance excellence and peace.

"They do not befit the standards of both institutions and can be best described as being substandard," they stated. "This conduct by the Bursaries Committee has been going on for a long time now, but the people responsible have always made away with it at the expense of the reputation of the university, the ministry and the nation as a whole."

The union stated that the students still had not received their upkeep allowance for the 2008/2009 academic year since they reported more than a month ago.

"This situation has since created anxiety among students as they are starving and cannot pursue their academic endeavors in a solemn manner. The Bursaries Committee has not given any clear explanation to this effect," stated UNZASU. “It is truly the desire of UNZASU to cooperate with all other stakeholders in trying to keep the peace that this country has been enjoying by promoting responsibility among those tasked with the duty to deliver quality services to the nation.”

Labels: UNZASU

posted by MrK @ 3:37 AM