Chakwera backs #FeesMustFall campaign of University of Malawi students

Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera has put his weight behind the University of Malawi students who are demanding the slashing of college fees.

Professor Lazarous Chakwera alumni of University of Malawi
Professor Lazarous Chakwera alumni of University of Malawi

Chakwera said at a news conference that the government should listen and reduce the tuition fees.

“There is still room for discussions. I have met the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education to see how we can end this stand off between the students and the University of Malawi Council and the government on one hand,” he said.

Added Chakwera: “I personally have a desire to see to it that this comes to an end. We have the whole nation at stake here.”

This comes a mid a wave of violent protests in the constituent colleges of the University of Malawi as students at Chancellor College, Polytechnic and Kamuzu College of Nursing took to the streets to demonstrate against the fee hikes.

They argue that the hiking of the fees is unreasonable and inconsiderate taking into account the high cost of living and the dwindling economy.

The students have since set aside August 4 for nationwide protests to force the government slash the fees.

University of Malawi spokesperson Peter Mitunda has however ruled out slashing the fees, saying the university can only offer quality education if it has adequate resources.

“Those who feel cannot afford the fees should contact the Higher Education Loans Board,” he said.

Close to 30 students were arrested and are now on court bail following the violent protests.

Most of them have been charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace charge.

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Mvithe
Mvithe
7 years ago

Choyamba nkanjo abvala o Chakwera si wa Unima ai, kapena wa chalichi. Kachiwiri, kodi o Chakwera, ma MP ao akulipirira ana awo ndalama zingati ku ma nursery, primary, sekondale ndi univesite zosakhala za boma. Kachitatu, kodi boma limalipirira ndalama zingati a Malawi amene amaphunzira kunja kwa dziko lino. Kachinai, ku maiko a kumja mu Afrika kapena ku Ulaya ndi Amelika sukulu za univesite amalipira bwanji? Potsiridza, kodi boma lilibe nthambi yothandidzira ophunzira osowa malipiro? O Chakwera, mwakwera mtunda wopanda madzi, njiru ndi masikono akuputsitsani. Maphunziro aulere, zipatala zaulere, misewu yaulere, masikono aulere, feteleza waulere, chimanga chaulere, madzi aulere, mbeu yaulere,… Read more »

ManoRo
ManoRo
7 years ago

Hmmmm abusa a Chakwera amandimvesa chisoni kwambiri. Why did he join politics in the first place? Or is it his advisers who are making fool of him? He is not just a member of parliament but leader in parliament, one of the three arms of the government. Furthermore, he is not just only the leader in that august house but he monopolizes and controls it due to the fact that the opposition side, of which he is leading, is in majority. That’s where he was supposed to show his “wisdom”. Secondly, the government and many Malawians have been accusing MCP… Read more »

zoona
zoona
7 years ago

Its important for everyone to understand that Malawi does not belong to the poor. If you cannot afford to pay for university education pse quit and vie for MP positions in 2019. We will ensure that only the rich access university. We must not allow children from poor families to graduate from poverty by making education very very expensive. Mwana wa cook must be cook and mwana wa GM must be GM regardless of whether ali ndi nzeru or not. Therefore Dr. Chakwera chonde fees must not fall. Actually the following must apply: 1. Chanco must pay MK1,300,000 per semester… Read more »

Bongololo
Bongololo
7 years ago
Reply to  zoona

Education is not cheap!

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