State to dismantle varsities’ debts

By AARON CHIYANZO GOVERNMENT will dismantle the statutory and personnel related debt owed by the University of Zambia (UNZA), Copperbelt and Mulungushi Universities to ensure financial stability in the running of the institutions, chief government spokesperson Mulenga Kampamba has said.

Ms Kampamba disclosed that President Edgar Lungu had chaired a Cabinet meeting on Monday, where among other things it was agreed that Government would dismantle the debt owed by the public universities.

She said in a statement that Cabinet had approved a new financing strategy for financing public universities in Zambia.

Ms Kampamba said the government would liquidate the statutory as well as personnel related debt owed by the three public universities.

She explained that it was noted in the meeting that the environment for higher education in Zambia had changed significantly.

Ms Kampamba, who is minister of Information and Broadcasting Services said that with the growth in the national population, the demand for higher education had continued to rise.

“Cabinet approved the new financing strategy for financing public universities, which among other things, government will liquidate the statutory as well as personnel related debt owed by the three public universities.

“It is noted that that the environment for higher education in Zambia has changed significantly. With the growth in the national population, the demand for higher education has continued to rise,” she said.