Student leaders discuss ‘no riots’ approach

STUDENT leaders from private and public higher learning institutions have converged in Lusaka to restructure the current student governance system that will advocate for strategic means of resolving issues away from riots.

University of Zambia student president, Misheck Kakonde said there was need to review and make necessary amends to redefine the student governance system.

Mr Kakonde said students had resolved to take bold steps to reclaim their glory and put in place student governance systems that would prepare learners for leadership and for life.

“We the Zambian student leaders from all higher learning institutions, both private and public, acting collectively, have converged to chart the way forward in the current student governance system that will advocate for strategic ways of resolving issues unlike student unrest,” he said.

This is contained in a joint statement issued yesterday, by CBU, NIPA, UNZA, Mpika College of Education, Mukuba University and Nkrumah University student leadership.

He said for a long time student governance in Zambia was regarded as a major tool for political violence but that the student leadership was determined to change the notion.

Mr Kakonde said the student governance framework was old hence it had failed to address critical matters such as sanitation in higher learning institutions.

He said this calls for the creation of a governance system that is purpose driven, goal oriented and centred on high values and beliefs.