Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Aggrieved University of Zambia (UNZA) Academic staff have vowed to continue with their go slow until their four demands have been met by Government and the University management.
The lectures are demanding that UNZA management pays with immediate effect contractual obligations in terms of terminal benefits, gratuity and excess teaching fees.
They are also demanding that the University management immediately remits all outstanding superannuation and National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) contributions.
Speaking during a media briefing this morning, UNZA Lecturers and Researchers Union (UNZALARU) president, Euston Chiputa says lecturers are further demanding that government immediately allows the University to charge cost effective fees or fund the University in full.
Dr. Chiputa says lecturers are additionally demanding that government immediately pays all outstanding fees for the students its sponsors under bursaries.
He explains that the lecturers have decided to go on go slow because of the continued underfunding of the University which has resulted in an ever worsening work environment.
The UNZALARU president states that the ever worsening work environment at the University has been demonstrated by economic hardships borne by both serving and retired staff leading to a breakdown in industrial harmony at the university.
He says underfunding has also led to the University of Zambia having dilapidated infrastructure, lack of equipment and resources, having unfavorable lecturer-student ratio as well as inadequate and overcrowded lecture theaters and staff offices.
Asked whether by going on go slow lecturers have taken into consideration the impact of their action on students’ academic calendar, Dr. Chiputa has responded by asking whether government too has ever felt the impact of the kind of education it is forcing lecturers to offer has on the development of the country.