Government Responds To Higher Education Criticism

The Government has dismissed opposition claims that the higher education sector has been neglected.

Opposition candidate Makebi Zulu criticized the government over the sector in a Facebook post on Monday.

However, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kelvin Mambwe told Education Television Services – ETV – in Kitwe that the sector has continued to grow under the UPND administration.

He said more than 45,000 students are now benefiting from Government-funded scholarship loans, compared to 23,000 under the previous administration. He added that Government has expanded the loan scheme to all ten public universities, while meal allowances, previously abolished, have been reintroduced.

This demonstrates the Government's commitment to improving student welfare and reducing financial pressure on vulnerable learners.