Unza students stage boycott

Unza students stage boycott
By Allan Mulenga and Tilyenji Mwanza
Fri 21 Sep. 2012, 10:30 CAT

UNZA students yesterday staged a class boycott demanding the institution's immediate closure following the continued revision of the academic calendar by management.

But University of Zambia (Unza) registrar Dr Kavwanga Yambayamba has urged students to abide by the decision made by management over the closure of the institution.

Management had decided to bring forward the closing date for the institution from the earlier announced October 31 to September 28, a move which had spurred anxiety among the student populace.

In the morning, the slogan-chanting students closed the main library and gathered at the graduation foyer demanding that management addresses them over the matter.

Several students were seen loitering at the institution, while others were busy with school work.

Sources disclosed that on Wednesday afternoon, the senate, which is the supreme academic council of the institution, held an urgent meeting where they agreed to close the institution next Friday.

Sources further said management was under intense pressure by the government to allow contractors to commence rehabilitation works in readiness for Zone Six Youth Games scheduled for December.

But Dr Yambayamba urged students to stick to September 28 as the official closing date for the institution.

"Let me correct one thing; there is nothing like closure. Yes there was a special meeting by senate of which they decided to revise the sessional dates. We are not closing. There is no closure. When you say closure, it is like something drastic has happened and then there is a closure," he said.
"The dates have been revised; this first semester is in two parts. We were supposed to close on the 31st of October, but they are now going to close on September 28."

Dr Yambayamba said the rehabilitation exercise would benefit students at the institution, adding that no student could overrule the decision made by management over the revision of the senate dates.

"We want to allow for the rehabilitation for the institution. As you may be aware that the Unza Great East Road Campus has been chosen as the village for Zone Six Youth Games. That is the reason why the sessional dates have been revised, it is not a closure," explained Dr Yambayamba.

"Students are coming back in January because when the games are over in December, we expect residential school to begin. We always have residential school when students are away by the end of the year. Regular students will be coming back on the 20th January 2013 when residential school ends. We expect everyone to be in campus until the stated period of time. No student can overrule the decision by the senate."