HIGHER EDUCATION WILL FLOURISH WITH MUSHIMBA AT HELM

Dear Editor,

GlOBALLY, it has been agreed that education is the greatest equaliser that has eradicated any gap or rather disparities that may exist, on societal statuses among the people.

Education gives us a knowledge of the world around us and changes it into something better. It helps us with a perspective of looking at life. It helps us build opinions and have points of view on things in life.

Without a pool of knowledge that we acquire through various means of education available to us, our world would be stunted, and our future would be blurred and blink.

It is education that shapes our perception of things, and enables us to anticipate the world beyond what our sight allows us to visualise.

This education enable us navigate ourselves through the hurdles of life.

As such, many people in Zambia treasure education – in this regard, those that can afford and including the very poor have strived to enrol sons and daughters, nieces and nephews and relatives into various institution of education. For most of these in the public learning institutions, for some months now, the attainment of greatness through education seemed blur. In particular, those at the Copperbelt University have been through a roller-coaster when the learning institution was closed indefinitely.

Therefore, the announcements made by Dr. Brian Mushimba that he would be reopening the Copperbelt University on August 19, 2019 brings a new hope to those whose education aspirations seemed stunted recently.

Without sounding so anachronistic, let me hasten to state that, Dr. Mushimba’s style of rationality and consideration in dealing with matters of education conveys a sense of hope laced with responsibility, compassion and consideration.

Students who owed public institutions in various fees are now allowed to write exams. Those who were expelled for one reason or the other but involving the issuing leading to the build-up of the closure of CBU have been reinstated.

Personally, I am full of hope that even the issue of meal allowances will be dealt with by Dr. Mushimba in the most considerate manner than we have seen in the past.

I look forward to lecturers, unions and management at these higher learning institutions finding better ways of engagement with the Minister of Higher Education, for the education sector to continue being a pillar of hope for those that seek to achieve greatness.

I must state that, the activities that have taken place in higher learning institutions in the recent past were in sharp contrast with the aspirations of the Patriotic Front.

It is well known by most that we are a party that is pro-poor and one that has prioritised education for the people, among other sectors, all for the benefit of generations to come. The policies that are made in various wings of government of our party have a bearing on the future of this country.

Let me take this opportunity to wish the Minister of Higher Education the very best, and appeal to other stakeholders in this sector to engage Dr. Mushimba on matters where there are misunderstanding so that, we have a conducive playing field that allows the people to attain their educational aspirations without interruptions caused by indefinite closure et cetera.