. Dr Phiri
By KAIKO NAMUSA –
GOVERNMENT will take stern action against managements at institutions of higher learning that allow opposition political parties to push their political agenda among students.
Education, Science Vocational Training and Early Education Minister, John Phiri said Government is aware of manoeuvres by opposition political leaders to destabilise academic calendars for selfish purposes.
Dr Phiri said in a Press statement in Lusaka yesterday that Government would not allow public resources invested in running universities and colleges to go to waste.
Dr Phiri cited a recent incidence at the University of Zambia Great East Road campus, where an opposition party was alleged to have ferried bus-loads of ‘known hooligans’ at the institution.
He said the development was unacceptable and a threat to the autonomy of the university.
“We would like to warn managements of these institutions to desist from perpetrating anarchy by allowing people who are bent on destabilising the normal operations of these institutions. We shall not hesitate to take action against anyone found wanting,” Dr Phiri said.
He said while the Patriotic Front (PF) administration was determined to restore the academic freedom and autonomy of higher education, it would be forced to interfere if tax-payers money was going to be wasted.
