. Phiri

THE announcement yesterday by Education Minister John Phiri that the Government will this year start the construction of hostels to create more than 4,000 bed spaces at the University of Zambia (UNZA) is good news.
It is no longer a secret that UNZA and other public learning institutions across the country have experienced critical shortages of accommodation.
In some situations, the lack of bed spaces has instigated violent confusion in these public institutions as students vent their anger even on innocent people for failure to get accommodated.
It is gratifying to note that the Government is cognisant of this fact. This was further demonstrated recently by President Michael Sata when he directed that the construction of the hostels at public universities and colleges be expedited.
President Sata said when he opened Parliament that there was need to hasten the process of building education infrastructure to operationalise the institutions in the shortest time possible.
It is against this background that the news coming from Dr Phiri should bring joy not only among students, but also the general public who have witnessed the suffering of the students.
Dr Phiri’s announcement is a further indication that the Government is not in business of mere rhetoric, where words are not accompanied by actions.
It is an indication that the Government is concerned with inadequate bed spaces in public institutions and is ready to address this challenge as quickly as possible.
We note with happiness that apart from 4,000 bed spaces at UNZA, the Government is expected to construct a total of 3,200 bed spaces at the Copperbelt University, 1,280 for Mulugushi University and 960 at Evelyn Hone College.
This is commendable and must be supported by everyone unless one is an armchair critic.
Squatting in rented houses comes with several challenges and risks, and it is not easy for students to concentrate at their academic work.
We realise that increased bed spaces would not only enhance concentration of students that have been forced to squat outside institutions, but also motivate them in their academic works.
However, as Dr Phiri noted yesterday, the Government alone cannot afford to fully address all the problems faced by students in these institutions. Dr Phiri’s call for the private sector to partner with
UNZA and other public learning institutions is, therefore, timely and should be taken seriously.
We appeal to all well-meaning stakeholders to come on board and enter into partnerships with public universities and help increase accommodation in these institutions.
Further we would like to appeal to the students, parents and the general public at large to support every effort that the Government is making in a bid to address shortages of accommodation in public learning institutions.
Much as the Government could try to construct the 4,000 bed spaces, this may just be an effort in futility unless there is support from everyone, including the students themselves.