LECTURERS and academic staff at Copperbelt University (CBU) have vowed to continue with the protest should vice-chancellor Professor Naison Ngoma and the entire management continue clinging on to their positions.
The lecturers are also disappointed that management at the institution has decided to hold this year’s graduation ceremony slated for today without the support of the academicians.
The lecturers want Prof Ngoma and the entire management to resign from their positions for allegedly lacking academic focus.
Copperbelt University Academics Union (CBUAU) president Mwiya Songolo said at a press briefing in Kitwe yesterday that lecturers will only report for work if Prof Ngoma resigns.
“As academicians, we have still continued to pass a vote of no confidence in Prof. Ngoma and the entire management. We are not getting back to work as long as the current management continue to hold on to their positions,” Mr Songolo said.
Mr Songolo said the union will write to Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Michael Kaingu to guide him on the alternatives he should take to resolve the problems at CBU.
“We had a meeting with Dr Kaingu and I am sure you are keen to listen to what the meeting was all about. What I can say is that we will write to the minister to guide him and offer alternatives on how to address these problems,” he said.
Mr Songolo said the lecturers want Government to re-open the university to enable students to continue with their studies.
He also expressed disappointment that management at the institution will be holding this year’s graduation ceremony without the presence of the academicians.
Mzee Hekima
July 24, 2015 at 9:27 am
The graduation ceremony was held after all Songolo what next just resign if you are tired.
New Educated Zambia©❤√
July 24, 2015 at 9:44 am
A case of a failed university due to failed governance at country level. When you have a president who has no vision and lacks in effective leadership, then you do not expect much from lower level insitututions such as universities. Very sad that one of the highest learning institutions in the country has gone to the dogs and our children are suffering due to this. We ask you to vote upnd so that we revamp education sector in line with skill demand on the global scene. sad
Shaka Zulu
July 24, 2015 at 11:16 am
How did the graduation ceremony go without academic staff?
kakolwe
July 25, 2015 at 12:11 pm
Super! Marvellous! Splendid! Great! Wonderful! Titanic! Astounding! Amazing!Extraordinary! Portentous! Awesome!Prodigious! Kabotu! Ubune!
So, There!
DIP STICK
July 24, 2015 at 11:46 am
CLEANERS AND THE LIKES TOOK THE PLACE OF THE ACADEMICIANS. VERY SHAMEFUL AND IT IS VISIBLY CLEAR THAT THIS GRADUATION CEREMONY IS SOMETHING ONE WOULDN’T WANT TO LOOK BACK AT. THE SPIRITS ARE NOT AS HEIGHTENED AS THEY USUALLY ARE.
tutu
July 24, 2015 at 11:54 am
kaingu how is your pornstar of a daughter? is she still active? anyway just thot of reminding u ukuti tatwalabako nakedness yakwe
CHARITY TENGELEKO
July 24, 2015 at 1:06 pm
do u expect anything gud from dat arrogant stupit kaingu i listned to hiz ministrial statement concerning cbu issue buy wat i got from him were jst rubish i blame de one who apointed him as a minister.
kayula
July 24, 2015 at 1:32 pm
Zambians are paid becoz they went to school in other countries pipo are paid for the work they do. In Zambia you can be out for the whole month and still get a full salary
CHARITY TENGELEKO
July 24, 2015 at 1:45 pm
stupid kaingu wat can he do, de level of foolishness in him z too high nowender his ugly
CHARITY TENGELEKO
July 24, 2015 at 1:49 pm
i blame dis drukard for apointing a burger as minister damn.
AMASHOKO KOPALA
July 24, 2015 at 2:45 pm
sorry ba zed 4 choosing chagwa …..insala pa zed
alinase
July 24, 2015 at 3:51 pm
take the same full management to china and open another institution for them to prove if what these lectures are saying is true. we still learn old things and when you come up with a new idea, you are marked wrong.what you are fighting for is o.k guys lets call a spade a spade.zambia will develope in that way
Kolwe
July 24, 2015 at 9:18 pm
Songolo and group should think twice because they are replacable. Good to hear that the graduation took place without the burgers and idiots. Viva Ngoma! You are a soldier pliz soldier on! Its a case of common sense, how can you ask yo friend to resign instead of you? Songolo resign first then others will follow. These idiots think they are indspensable, check CBU trade fair stand there’s nothing to show off. These whisky addicts can even be replaced by KMB boys. We ve paid for our children, mind the way you socialize in Kitwe.
Shi ali
July 24, 2015 at 10:19 pm
Its high tym dat gvtmnt also luks into de qualificatin(level of eduction) bcoz sum of dese ministers,dey only knw hw 2 talk,nd hw 2 count hw mch dey hav med nd wat dey wil get @ de end of de mnth,,,,
kakolwe
July 25, 2015 at 3:36 am
What or who constitute “the entire management” of the institution? This is a bit far-fetched, and the demand is as if Songolo & company have interest in these same management positions. Chancellor, VC, Deputy VC, Deans, Deputy Deans, HODs, etc. Must ALL go! At once. Then Songolo gives govt guidelines on how to go about replacements. At the same time, the swine asks govt to reopen the crippled institution when he has withheld his labour? What bullcrap is this? Wanting our children to come & just loiter? TALK ABOUT SOME EDUCATED FOOLS!!!!
The unza-kasama busy
July 25, 2015 at 4:22 am
Nga songolo wine uyu nani kanshi? Its been long he is just called mr. Songolo, he shud as well upgrade for him to offer quality leadership. Minimum a phd. Anyway, how many docs and profs are at cbu? Can someone help me.
Jt
July 25, 2015 at 6:19 am
Chuundu chaitwa bakamba.TONGA SPIRIT.2.Linyundangandayambo….KAYA NGATI NI SO.They kno beter these that promote tribal boundaries.
Iwe
July 25, 2015 at 11:59 am
Quote: Originally posted by Igwe Leo.
Criticizing religion is urgently needed in today’s world particularly in Africa because it is in this region that the negative effects of religious dogmatism and absolutism are so glaring. In fact it has become a moral and intellectual duty for all free and open minds to highlight and expose through writing, cartoons, drama, music and comedy shows the absurdities, misconceptions, falsehoods and illusions of religion. First of all, religion is a human phenomenon and nothing human is – and should be beyond criticism. Criticizing religion is important because it is a human right that has long been ignored and has long been denied. It is a power and entitlement the exercise of which is important for human happiness and human flourishing.
Unfortunately, one of the greatest tragedies in human history is that human beings created ideas – religious ideas – and then made it a crime, a forbidden act, for others to question them. Human beings have placed a heavy price on critical examination of religious and superstitious beliefs particularly Islam thereby perpetuating these ideas with all their limitations and shortcomings.
The situation in Africa is quiet disturbing because the continent has a triple religious heritage – traditional, Christian and Islamic and these layers of dogma and absolutism make critical examination of faith claims more challenging, and yes, more urgent and compelling.
The three faiths make conflicting and contradictory claims about this life and what happens after death, about what is right and wrong, what is true and what is false, what is allowed or forbidden, what is good or bad, what is fact or fiction, what is myth or reality. They peddle counter intuitive notions like virgin birth, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus, the divine revelation of the Koran, the ascent into heaven of Muhammad on a flaming horse, the existence of paradise and Hell fire, the existence of ancestors, spirits and gods that intervene in nature etc. Many Africans grow up confused, not knowing which religion is true and which is false, if any at all, which faith or philosophy is a suitable moral guide in this 21st century. Africans grow up with their minds enchanted, beclouded and not understanding clearly what to believe and what not to believe, not comprehending how to distinguish facts from fantasy.
Critical evaluation of religious teaching is important for the intellectual emancipation and enlightenment of Africans. Exposing the illogics and gaps in religious thinking – the contradictions in its conception of life and nature, needling the balloon of otherworldly faiths will free the minds and morals of Africans from the grip of superstition and fundamentalism. Due to lack of critical thinking, many Africans are embracing religious extremism and are being indoctrinated into thinking that killing others in the name of their god, prophet and religion is a demonstration of faith and a mark of religious virtue.
They do not know that God is an imaginary being and that the so called prophets are historical entities who are dead and gone or mythical figures who never existed in time and space.
Religious promises of paradise, divine judgment and reward in an afterlife are driving Africans to commit atrocities because many people across Africa think that religious promises are true. African Christians and muslims are really working and hoping to inherit paradise as promised in the Bible and the Koran. Sadly, they are mistaken and we need criticism of religion to foreground the erroneous propositions of faith systems and awaken Africans from their religious slumber. Criticism of religion will help disabuse the minds of Africans of religious illusions and delusions and dissuade them from religious credulousness and extremism. Religion is a potent force in human culture and society, and without criticism it will become a treacherous weapon, a lethal, vicious and potentially dangerous agent. We have witnessed how the destructive force of religious extremism is raging and ravaging different parts of Africa and the world today. We need criticism of religion to counter the narratives of religious extremism and exploitation. So to all Africans I say “Criticize every religion – all religions. Spare no faith, god, prophet or holy book no matter how exalted or revered. Expose their erroneous assumptions, absurd claims and misconceptions. Demand evidence for religious claims even at the risk of causing offence. African enlightenment will not be achieved without offending the sensibilities of those who have vested interest in the religious status quo, in African ‘endarkenment’. Question all religious dogmas because dogmatization is a cover, a way of preserving and perpetuating error and falsehood. Seek the truth. Ignite the flame of rational inquiry and rid this continent of dark and destructive forces of superstition and unreason.
Mzee Hekima
July 25, 2015 at 2:21 pm
How does a worker ask for a fellow worker to be fired. The best if you are not happy is to resign that is more honorable.
Kolwe
July 25, 2015 at 5:35 pm
Govt and the people of Zambia should unite and abolish Trade unionism if we are to see development like America. Remember during ZCCM time, its MUZ who forced Management to buy NAPKINS for their babies, remember indalama SHAMISANA (education allowance), bulbs etc.
JSM
July 25, 2015 at 6:53 pm
I totally agree with Mzee. Songolo should instead resign and all his colleagues. Prof Ngoma among many other things wants a certain % be given to CBU from letureres’ research and consultancy private earnings which is a practice in versities but these selfish lecturers are not in favour of. Shame upon u Songolo et al coz graduation went on even my dota graduated.