CBU students go on class boycott

Copperbelt University (CBU) students in Kitwe have gone on a class boycott demanding an increment on their meal allowances.

Copperbelt University Students Union (COBUSU) vice president Gerald Chiluba said the students were on class boycott to demand for an increment over allowances and infrastructure development at the institution.

Mr Chiluba said the students resolved to stage the boycott after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Tuesday.

He said the students were demanding an increment of 45 per cent across the board on meal, accommodation, project and book allowances from the current K675 which was paid per term

Mr Chiluba further said that students who were not accommodated at the institution were currently getting an allowance K750 annually and paying K700 in boarding houses.

“We are on class boycott over allowances and we want an increment of 45 percent across the board because the meal allowance was last increased in 2011.

“We have a student’s security which is ensuring that no one goes to class until our demands are met,” he said.

He said the construction of more bed spaces would help cushion accommodation challenges at CBU.

Mr Chiluba said COBUSU president Kinsley Chinyama and other student leaders would walk to Lusaka to meet Education minister John Phiri over the matter.

CBU registrar Allan Illunga appealed to students to rescind their decision and allow their sponsors to address their grievances.

Mr Illunga said the students have been meeting Government officials over their concerns and that management was not privy to what was being discussed.

He said the student meeting with Government officials was an indication that it was willing to listen and talk to them in addressing their concerns.