By NAKUBIANA  SHABONGO-
THE Ministry of Finance has released K292, 621. 343 million towards the construction of infrastructure projects under the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education.
Ministry of Education Spokesperson, Hillary Chipango announced this in a press statement issued in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Chipango said from the K292, 621.343, the ministry had received, K20million which had been channeled towards the construction of a medical school in Ndola under the Copperbelt University.
He said the remaining K272 million would be used to pay contractors that were constructing secondary schools, trades skills training institutes and universities throughout the country.
“The Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education received funds for the month of May to a tune of K292, 621.343 million from the Ministry of Finance that will go towards the construction of various infrastructure projects under the Ministry,” he said.
Mr Chipango said out of the 118 secondary schools being constructed across the country, 41 were already operational and had since enrolled grades 8 and 10 classes.
He said the Ministry planned to ensure several of the secondary schools being built became operational before the end of the year.
The Ministry had also expressed disappointment over a class boycott by students at Mukuba University who were demanding the appointment of a vice chancellor, university council and the release of their examinations results.
Mr Chipango advised management at the institution to continuously update the students over matters relating to the transformation process of the institution to avoid the misunderstanding.
He said the University council would be inaugurated as soon as Cabinet approved the appointment of the council members, adding that relevant papers were already before cabinet.
“It is the Council which will in turn recommend names of the three people to the ministry for the minister to appoint a vice chancellor. This is a process the ministry will conclude before September 2014. The above also applies to Nkwame Nkrumah and Chalimbana Universities,” he said.
Mukuba University is the result of Government’s decision to upgrade the former Copperbelt College of Education into a University as it did with Nkrumah and Chalimbana.