Stop politics in varsities - govt

Dr Shukuru Kawambwa

The Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Dr Shukuru Kawambwa has strongly condemned politicians for turning universities into political platforms and warned students to shun the illegal practice, saying it was detrimental to their course.

Addressing a gathering of students, lecturers, staff members and journalists at Kampala International University (KIU), Dar es Salaam campus, Dr Kawambwa said the practice which has become rampant as of late was an infringement of students’ right to education and would eventually cripple their future.

“Politicians should advocate for adherence to by-laws and universities’ code of conduct instead of instigating chaos and endless conflicts,” ordering the students on strike at the university to go back to classes, saying political propaganda should be carried out in off-campus environment.

 “We are not against students’ involvement in politics, our objective is to help them lead a smooth life, free of chaos in schools and engage in active politics later in their life after school,” he said believing that the strike was motivated by politicians from outside the university circles.

 “I also ask you to follow the right channels in demanding your rights; stay away from hostile politicians who have no decision-making powers on the public order.

Why don’t you just pop into my office or to any other minister’s in case of problems, instead of dogging to the wrong people?” he challenged the desperate students.

“I am here to tell you that those who say your courses are not registered are misleading the public and the potential professionals of our country,” said Dr Kawambwa, insisting that the only authorities mandated to register higher education courses are Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) and the National Council for Universities (NACTE).

He explained that KIU, Agha Khan University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology are the only higher learning institutions registered in the country as foreign universities whose awards belong to the same status as other universities in Tanzania.

Dr Kawambwa’s assurance on the status of the controversial courses was backed by TCU Executive Secretary Prof Prof Yunus Mgaya and NACTE’s Dr Primus Nkwera in an event that was meant to settle the issue that drove the students into striking 2 months ago.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN ON SUNDAY