600 Suspended University Students Readmitted

Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science (MUHAS)

MORE than 600 students of higher learning institutions involved in the 2011/12 chaos at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), University of Dodoma (UDOM) and the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science (MUHAS) have been allowed to resume classes.

Responding to a question from Mr John Mnyika (Ubungo-Chadema), the Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Mr Phillip Mulugo, said out of 99 students found to have been involved in UDSM chaos, 78 resumed studies and 21 students are still under suspension.

At UDOM, Mr Mulugo said 570 students were involved in the chaos, and after investigations, 563 were allowed to resume studies and 7 students were expelled.

At MUHAS, 115 students were involved in the fracas, out of whom 81 students received a stern warning, 24 students were suspended for a period of one year and resumed studies last December and 8 other students were suspended fo two years and will resume studies in December, this year.

The deputy minister explained that recommendation from the Commission appointed by the President in 2011 to look into the strikes, has to a large extent helped reduce strikes in high learning institutions.

Mr Mulugo added that the recommendations from the Presidential Commission also led to the establishment of the Online Loan Application System (OLAS) by the High Learning Loans Board and for the Commission of Universities to establish the Central Admission System (CAS).

The two systems have helped address a number of challenges, the minister noted, including transparency and enabled availability of data on high learning students enrolment and those that have received loans from the High Learning Loans Board.

Mr Mnyika wanted to know steps taken by the government to have students suspended from the three Universities resume studies and how the president's commission has helped improve and provide sustainable solution to problems facing high learning institutions.

Mr Mulugo also warned politicians who have a tendency of instigating higher learning students to go on strike and cause chaos in the colleges and universities. He said the government will not tolerate such politicians, and students who will be found to be engaged in such chaos will be suspended.

Mr Mnyika expressed his dissatisfaction with the minister's answers to the National Assembly Chairpersom, Ms Jenister Mhagama and sought the House to have the ministry table in parliament the report from the Presidential Commission.

Ms Mhagama told the Ubungo legislature to either present a private motion of the matter or bring the question to parliament again. She also asked the government to find the best way to present in parliament the report from Presidents' Commission.