I DON’T REGRET SCRAPPING MEAL ALLOWANCES , I DID IT AS A MOTHER WHO CARES FOR ALL HER CHILDREN, SAYS PROFESSOR KANDU LUO
By Current Zambia
Former Higher Education Minister Professor Kandu Luo has defended the controversial decision by the Patriotic Front (PF) government to remove meal allowances for university students, insisting the move was made in the best interest of all students
Speaking when she appeared on Crown TV’s Hardball programme, Professor Luo said the PF government had expanded the higher education sector by building five more public universities, making it unsustainable to continue running a meal allowance programme that only benefited students at a few institutions.
Professor Luo explained that when the PF found only two public universities benefiting from the programme, it became clear that the system was unfair to the growing number of students in other institutions
“As a mother, I could not justify a situation where only a few learners were benefiting while many others were left out,” she said.
She likened the situation to a parent who is able to buy nice things for two children but later has seven children to care for, forcing them to change priorities and ensure that all the children are treated equally.
Professor Luo added that the PF government instead introduced a student loan scheme and a levy across public universities and colleges so that more learners could access support.
She said the new system was designed to cater for a much larger student population rather than limiting benefits to students from only a few universities.
Professor Luo maintained that the decision was about fairness and sustainability in the higher education sector, stressing that leadership sometimes requires making tough but necessary decisions.
Yes, we know you believe yowa own lies. Fortunately, one else believes that nonsense.
PF thieves were busy stealing and gifting their children 79 vehicles and 23 properties.
Leadership is about taking responsibility. Not a single person in the imaginary PF factions has taken responsibility for the financial recklessness and stealing on a biblical scale that was the norm.
This is exactly why no version of PF will ever walk the corridors of power. EVER. Zambia deserves better than unrepentant career criminals.
In simple terms, PF will remove meal allowance when they are voted back to power. It boggles the mind how this professor cannot understand the simple connection between a filled tummy and the ability to learn. Would she have attained her degrees on an empty stomach but with all the books she needed available?
PF are incorrigible. Beyond redemption.