Mushimba rejects K1,500 surcharge demanded by CBU
By Staff Reporter
Higher Education minister Dr Brian Mushimba says the surcharge of K1,500 demanded by CBU management from returning students is too high.
Dr Mushimba said he would engage management at Copperbelt University as students are expected to reopen on Monday, August 19th 2019 after being closed for close to four months.
But in a circular released on Thursday, CBU management announced that all returning students were expected to pay a surcharge of K1, 500 for the repair of private, public and institutional property that was damaged during the university riot on April 5, 2019.
However, Dr Mushimba said that he will engage CBU management over the surcharge.
“As announced at the press briefing on re-opening CBU, I was clear there would be a surcharge against all students towards the damage caused to public and private property during the riot. I’m in Isoka on duty and hearing of exorbitant charges from CBU. Will engage them shortly,” Dr Mushimba announced on Twitter.
Earlier Dr Mushimba indicated that he would commence meetings with all public university management, councils and unions next week.
He said this would signal the start of continuous dialogue with stakeholders in public universities as a way of finding solutions and interventions that stand in the way of quality education for all.
Dr Mushimba also maintained that the students that were expelled had been forgiven.
“Those suspended have had their suspension lifted. Those expelled have had their expulsion rescinded and put on suspension. This is the position I communicated already when we announced the re-opening of CBU. I subsequently advised students to focus on learning,” Dr Mushimba said.
“The fact that they are no longer expelled and with time, will have the opportunity to finish their education, they have been forgiven. Let’s leave it at that for now.”
“I’m a product of public universities. I believe in education for all and its ability to equalize one’s life. I serve a Government that understands the urgency around issues to do with enhanced delivery of higher education. These guide me to craft solutions and interventions appropriately.”
