SUICIDE BRINGS BURSARY POLICY INTO QUESTION (FLASHBACK FROM LAST WEEK) THE GOVERNMENT should give priority to poor children who want an education in awarding bursaries, says the mother of an UNZA student who took her life after being denied government sponsorship. And University of Zambia Students Union vice-president Martin Nundwe says the death of Musankwa Makwambwa, 19 is a wake-up call to the Social Welfare Department. Meanwhile, FDD leader Edith Nawakwi has written to President Michael Sata, asking him to use his discretion and direct that all deserving first-year students at the University of Zambia be awarded government bursaries. Musankwa, of Kalingalinga compound, took her life on Tuesday after discovering that she was not appearing on the list of students that have been awarded sponsorship by the Bursaries Committee, where she had twice applied. Musankwa was pronounced dead at Kalingalinga clinic, where she was rushed after her younger sister alerted neighbours that she had taken Doom, an insecticide. “Government should give priority to the poor children who want an education because they have no money to bribe people to help them have their children placed on an education bursary scheme,” says Musankwa’s mother, Emelda. Musankwa’s father, Mathew Makwambwa, said the former Kabulonga Girls pupil completed secondary school in 2012 with six points. “When I and her mother saw that she got good results, we applied for a place at the University of Zambia in the last academic year, where she was admitted into the School of Humanities. Since I and my wife do not work and have no means to support her university education, we decided to apply for bursary. We submitted all the relevant proof of our child’s vulnerability to the Social Welfare Department in Kamwala. When the names came out, however, she was not among those that were picked,” an emotional Makwambwa said. “When we tried to apply for the current intake (2014) at the University of Zambia, she was successful again but when she applied for a bursary, she realised that she was not picked again when she had gone to check on Monday at Bursaries [Committee]. Musankwa then started sending text messages to her two older sisters, stating that ‘I cannot [take] it anymore’; even after she was assured that the family would try and beg for sponsorship elsewhere.” He said Musankwa then switched off her mobile phone when she returned from UNZA, where she had gone to check if there was a reconsideration of names that were left out. Makwamba said Musankwa was later spotted by people in her neighbourhood buying Doom from a store. Meanwhile, Nundwe called on students that have not been not considered for government sponsorship to remain calm as the students union was trying to appeal on their behalf. “We are trying to push this matter by engaging relevant stakeholders. We realise that the 4,000 students that have been left out of the bursary scheme come from economically challenged families. We are not saying that they should sponsor all the 6,000 that had applied for bursaries, but we are saying let a reasonable number be considered,” he said. Nundwe also said he was concerned that the children of managing directors of some companies were among those that had been given full government scholarships. “I will tell you I know children of MDs who are on bursaries, even up to 100 per cent bursary, and Social Welfare approves that. This shows that Social Welfare Department is sleeping, they are not doing their job, and that is where the gap is,” said Nundwe. And Nawakwi said the fees at the university were beyond the reach of many people. “NAPSA has a suspense account. This is the money which is unclaimed where contributions are taken from employers; they don’t know where to take them. This money should be given to the bank to provide bursaries to these students. And if I were the Minister of Finance, I could turn these bursaries into a loan so that they revolve,” she said. And in a letter to President Sata dated October 1, Nawakwi stated that with the prevailing poverty levels and high tuition fees, it was impossible for many parents to afford the cost of university education. “Your Excellency, it is with a deep sense of concern that I write to you, seeking for your positive and urgent intervention in the bursary crisis at the University of Zambia (UNZA). As you may be aware, about 3,400 students have been denied access to government bursaries out of the 6,000 first year students who have been enrolled for the 2014/15 Academic Year. As a mother and a beneficiary of government sponsorship myself, I am seeking your personal intervention on what is evidently an attempt to sabotage the future of your children. Education is the fuel for social and economic advancement and we have a sacred duty as a nation to ensure that we make education accessible and affordable to all,” the letter read in part. Nawakwi stated that it was evident that the country would not attain the Millennium Development Goal on education in this year of golden jubilee if it fails to sponsor children to attain higher education. She stated that UNZA was founded as an oasis of knowledge, research and excellence to provide expert human resource needed for national development. Nawakwi stated that Zambians from all walks of life contributed money, energy and time to build the University of Zambia and the sole purpose of building the university must never be lost. “Your Excellency, I have no doubt in my mind that you will use your discretion and direct that all deserving first year students be awarded government bursaries. Kindly accept, Your Excellency, compliments of my highest esteem and good wishes,” stated Nawakwi.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 09:17:32 +0000
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