The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZNEC) has expressed displeasure with the decision taken by University of Zambia (UNZA) not to allow about 200 students to sit for their examination due to non settlement of tuition fees. ZNEC Executive Director Miriam Chinyama says the decision has serious implications on the education standards in the country.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mrs. Chinyama noted that de-registering students during examination time is likely to impact negatively not only on the people affected but the nation as a whole. She said the decision taken by the UNZA management has a possibility to affect the school calendar and the out come of examination results because most of the students will be demoralized and fail to concentrate on their studies. Mrs. Chinyama said the move by the UNZA management is detrimental to the development of the country because students that have not been allowed to sit for exams will be deprived of an opportunity to contribute to the country’s development.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Chinyama has appealed to UNZA management to rescind its decision and allow the affected students sit for their exams. She advised management to engage the affected students in constructive dialogue and agree on how they would settle their outstanding balances. The ZNEC chief suggested that management should withhold the results and release them only when the students settle all the fees. Mrs. Chinyama has also urged students not to relent or lose hope and concentration but to continue working hard for the betterment of the country. Over 200 UNZA students were last week de-registered and were not allowed to sit for the exams which started yesterday because of non-payment of tuition fees.

Zanis

11 COMMENTS

Nine Chale November 3, 2009 At 2:00 pm

We demand free eductaion for all in Zambia! Now and not later!
THE OBSERVER November 3, 2009 At 2:32 pm

The comments by ZNEC Director Mrs. Chinyama are baseless, it was clearly stated that 200 studensts would be registred if they failed to pay outstanding fees to Unza. If theMrs. Chinyama and other are trully there to promote education they would have come to the rescue of affected students not making statements after seating indwi. These are the NGO’s just existing to serve the interests of few. Mrs. Chinyama if you have nothing to say please keep zee. We need NGO’s which are proactive. To the affected students dont lose hope keep on fighting its just a set back and its part of life. Now you have come to understand the society you live in. Animal farm yeka yeka.
Pankwa November 3, 2009 At 2:36 pm

Lekeni abana basambilile ngefyo mwasambilile Banda!
Mashini November 3, 2009 At 3:11 pm

I know our President will intervene……..Amen
UK-Zed Observer November 3, 2009 At 3:15 pm

How do UNZA students pay for tuition and exams – from their own pockets or from Govt bursaries.

Plz ex-Unza students, enlighten us before we make uninformed comments.
Xioto November 3, 2009 At 7:41 pm

SO ba monko the way forward is missuze the tution fee knowing ati ba banda will bail me out.
Oranje91 November 4, 2009 At 12:51 am

I thought students went to on UNZA on uncle (Sam)Banda’s ticket. How much do they pay?
Luapula Fish November 4, 2009 At 7:14 am

Everything responds to incentives
Unza as a big insttution need currency to run effectively and the self sponsored students need to find a self solution to their financial problems because thousands of students with similar qualifications do not enjoy such preferential treatment such as bailing them out by the president.
DJ November 4, 2009 At 2:06 pm

Students are assessed and some receive 100%, 75%, 50% bursary. But for sure they should be allowed to sit for the examination and just withold the results. It is an intricate issue that needs to be addressed.
Yambayamba November 10, 2009 At 12:58 am

Here in the US, if you fail to pay your school/tuition fees they will not even let you stay in school that long before you are dropped from all your classes. You either set up a payment plan with the University (whereby you pay in installments) or you are a goner (nonetheless, they do have a robust STUDENT FINANCIAL AID/LOAN system in place.)

But that is here (the so called developed world) of course, which would be harsh and unreasonable if applied to places such as UNZA. If these students can’t afford school fees, how come they did not qualify for govt subsides/baseries?
If the students misused the basery monies they got then they have no right to moan about anything. OTHERWISE, IT IS GOVT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO EDUCATE ITS YOUNG—-Imiti iyikula empanga!!!
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