Govt moves to quell unrest in education sector, allocates K600 million for internal debt settlement

The government has allocated K600 million for internal debt settlement, including K206 million to the University of Zambia (UNZA) as a partial settlement of the K1.385 billion owed to staff.

Education Minister, Douglas Siakalima, announced that K131 million was allocated for retirees still on the payroll and K75 million for gratuities.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Siakalima noted that the funds would benefit 470 individuals: 71 for pensions, 12 for deceased staff, one for medical expenses and 386 for gratuities.

Read More: UNZA trade unions insist on settlement of K200 million debt before resumption of classes by students

Additionally, the government released over K188 million to clear other debts owed to Copperbelt University (K48 million), Mukuba University (K2 million), Kapasa Makasa University (K1 million), Kwame Nkrumah University (K30 million), Zambia Education Publishing House (K18 million) and retired teachers from the Ministry of Education (K88 million).

Siakalima highlighted the challenge faced in 2022 when K100 million was released for UNZA to pay retirees, but the bulk of it was spent on gratuities for serving employees, leaving many retirees unpaid.

He urged stakeholders to remove retired employees from the payroll to free up resources for current staff costs.

“By clearing and removing retired employees from the payroll, the University can better budget for gratuities and other staff costs for serving employees when due,” he said.

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