By the Zambian Economist
President Hakainde Hichilema says Government has resolved sanitation challenges at the University of Zambia’s Great East Road Campus, while reaffirming its commitment to expanding student welfare and higher education infrastructure ahead of the August 13 general elections.
President Hakainde Hichilema on Saturday met students from the University of Zambia’s Great East Road and Ridgeway campuses at State House, where he outlined Government’s progress in improving higher education and appealed for continued political support in the upcoming elections.
The President said sanitation challenges at the Great East Road Campus had been addressed, describing a clean learning environment as essential to quality education.
He also highlighted several education reforms implemented under the UPND administration, including the reintroduction of free education, restoration of meal allowances, increased accommodation allowances and continued investment in student hostel construction.
President Hichilema added that Government was working to resolve concerns affecting university lecturers, arguing that improving both student welfare and staff conditions is necessary to strengthen Zambia’s higher education system.
Turning to politics, the President encouraged students to safeguard the progress made and vote for the UPND in the August 13 elections to ensure continuity of the current education agenda.
The remarks come as education remains one of the key issues in Zambia’s election campaign, with political parties outlining competing visions for expanding access, improving infrastructure and enhancing the quality of tertiary education.
Why It Matters
For investors and policymakers, investment in higher education is closely linked to human capital development, labour productivity and long-term economic growth. Improvements in university infrastructure and student welfare can contribute to producing a more skilled workforce, although sustained funding and institutional reforms remain critical to achieving lasting outcomes.
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