The University of Zambia (UNZA) School of Medicine will this academic year conduct a two group-phased learning approach for second year Medical students(Med 2).
Med 2 Acting Information and Technology Representative, Reagan Kayumba said this resolution is meant to ease the tension the students are facing due to the delay of commencement of classes.
“The first group of students will learn and be examined in a period of seven months and the second group will learn and be examined in the remaining months,” Kayumba said.
He added that while the first group will be learning and being examined, the other group will be home and vice versa.
“All Medical students will be learning at Ridgeway Campus as it is where medicine should be taught as guided by the Health Professionals Council of Zambia (HPCZ),” Kayumba said.
The Acting Information and Technology Representative said this resolution follows a senate meeting held on March 21, 2023 which was led by the Deputy Vice- Chancellor Prof. Boniface Chisala, the School of Medicine Dean, Dr. Elliot Kafumukache and 20 second year Medical students representatives.
Meanwhile, Taonga Luhanga, a second year medical student said her academic life will be ruined if she is put in the second group because that means she will be in second year for more than a year.
“From the press statement, it is like the academic year will extend to next year and I can not imagine being in second year again next year,” Luhanga said.
And Ngigbo Miyemba another second year medical student complained that the decision by management to put the students in phases will lead to many students opting for other universities.
“I might just go to Mulungushi University because I honestly can not tolerate this, how will the second group even learn at a time when friends will be expecting results to come out,” Miyemba said.
Miyemba has since called on management to reconsider the decision.