SOME STUDENTS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS

Dear Editor, THANKS for allowing me space in your newspaper to bring up an issue which Minister of Higher Education Nkandu Luo needs to urgently look into as it affects so many students doing diploma courses at CBU and UNZA.

It is very sad that government is denying bursaries or loans to students doing diploma courses at CBU and UNZA, yet giving their counterparts pursuing diploma courses in other colleges.

A number of these students have completely been segregated - denied bursaries and even project money while their friends are enjoying these privileges. Many right now are struggling to pay their fees and even worse have failed to raise project money.

They are also owing in fees and some in the third year are unlikely to complete their education even after spending three years at both campuses. This is not fair especially that education and quality is for that matter one of the vital Sustainable Development goals (SDGS) the State wants to attain.

This is not fair. How can a child spend three years only to fail to finish his diploma because of lack of finances? Why can’t they be considered for partial sponsorship, especially those who are doing well?

If they don’t want so sponsor students doing diploma courses at CB and UNZA, let them cancel the courses and remain with degree programmes only. But which country in the world only offers degree courses? Even developed Western economies still offer diploma courses.

Professor Luo and her ministry should ponder over this situation and let fairness prevail. The minister should come in on this matter to save the students who for a long time have been denied bursaries because according to what the students been told, due to limited resources. If limited resources is the reason why some students are denied the bursaries why give segregate those in universities.

And if what Government is giving are loans, why deny others since the monies will be recovered in the same way from all students once they complete?

Can Professor Luo explain this situation and what the difference is between students doing diploma courses in colleges and those at CBU and UNZA as well as the criteria used? Concerned Parent Peter K. Zombe LUSAKA