“If Education Is Not Inclusive, Then It Is Worthless” – Dr. Mushumba
The Director – Quality Assurance at the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Dr. Martin Mushumba, has said that education loses its value if it fails to accommodate persons with disabilities, stressing that inclusivity must remain central to how Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are inspected, registered and accredited.
Dr. Mushumba said this on the ZNBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, while responding to a question on access to higher education for persons with disabilities during a discussion on the Accreditation Window open from 1st April to 31st May, 2026. The programme was hosted by Ms. Mable Knight, the show’s producer, and Mr. Bonface Chansa Mukopa, a visually impaired co-host whose question gave the discussion particular weight.
In one of the most striking remarks of the interview, Dr. Mushumba said, “Education, if it doesn’t allow us to be inclusive, then it’s worthless.”
He explained that inclusivity in higher education is not limited to male and female participation, but must also speak to “our brothers and sisters who are made differently and have different needs.”
According to Dr. Mushumba, even at the stage of registering or recognising institutions, HEA inspects whether teaching and learning facilities are inclusive enough to accommodate differently abled learners.
“We want to make sure that even as they provide teaching and learning in a particular programme, the facilities also speak to accommodating our brothers and sisters who are of different needs,” he said.
The issue drew strong public response, with callers also raising concerns about the availability of facilities and learning materials for persons with disabilities, especially visually impaired learners.
Due to the enormous number of phone calls received during the programme, many of which could not be attended to because of time, the Authority has been invited back to the show next week so that more calls can be taken.
As the Authority continues engaging the public, it has also reminded HEIs that the Accreditation Window remains open until 31st May, 2026, and institutions must submit all unaccredited programmes within this period. Further guidance may be obtained through accreditation@hea.org.zm or www.hea.org.zm.
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