CSCQBE attacks Bingu govt on delay to release results of university entrance

Civil Society Coalition on Quality Basic Education (CSCQBE) has expressed concern with the government’s delay to release results of the 2008 university entrance examinations.

The coalition said in a statement signed by Lexon Ndalama, Executive Committee Chairperson and Benedicto Kondowe, National Coordinator that it’s unfair that the public especially the students who are supposed to be in colleges are being taken for granted as regards to selection into the university

“As CSCQBE, a voice for the voiceless, we would like to register our concern towards the delayed selection of the first year entrants into the University of Malawi. We have all reasons to believe that any further delay in the selection has far many implications not only on the students and the universities but also on the education system as a whole,” said the statement.

The delay has been necessitated with government’s reintroduction of controversial quota system.

CSCQBE obverses that though the matter of quota system is in court, President Bingu wa Mutharika continues to comment on the matter in a manner that is tantamount to intimidating the judiciary.
The organization said with sustained delay it is likely that many students especially girls will lose out through many social and economic challenges.

“Further to this, CSCQBE feels that the delay is a psychological torture to concerned and eligible students as they are not going to be compensated for the year they have lost through idling instead of continuing with their academic advancement. The long period of idle stay can also affect their performance during the first year in the universities.”

“We also feel that the continued delay is a clear testimony of political egocentricism which is a sign of poor governance. It is also not an indicator of the much talked Government interest in improving education quality and management at all levels.

“This will dilute the education system in Malawi and paint a negative image at international
level.”

The civil society coalition pointed out that the delay has also contributed towards the increase on the financial burden on parents towards provision of university education for their children.

“So far many eligible students have already enrolled with private colleges thereby increasing the economic burden on parents.”

The organization also said the delay in selecting the students has also far reaching impact on
the just introduced school calendar.

The statement said the organization further note that the selection in question only relates to 2008 MSCE results and the 2008 University Entrance Examination students.

“The concern here is that the 2009 MSCE results are imminent and this will further create a backlog for eligible entrants for the 2009 as they have to wait for a year or more before getting into the university.”

CSCQBE said they choose not to believe that the delay for selecting students is a result of the much talked equitable selection policy.

“We strongly believe that government has made a commitment to implement the policy going by what has been stated time and again by the Head of State. However, the delay put to question whether the policy is indeed intended to equitably service the nation or is trying to service a
sector or group of people that do not value education and to whom it does not matter how much havoc is caused to the University calendar.”

The organizations said the general public is wondering whether the delay is as a result of the impending case in courts on quota system.

“We beg to question why the courts are taking so long to resolve the case on quota system. It is our considered view as lay people that every effort could have been made by the judiciary to resolve the matter in question for the sake of the concerned youth who are the future
leaders of this country.

“While due legal process is important in promoting fairness and justice, we bemoan the tendency by our courts to over delay in passing judgment in cases of national interest affecting a majority of Malawians such as the equitable selection case.”

CSCQBE said it strongly believe that there is no justification for the government to delay the selection of first year entrants into the University of Malawi this far.

“We further believe that there is no justification for either the executive or judiciary in not resolving the issues of equitable selection into the university.”

CSCQBE recommend that the government having made its stand that its going ahead to
implement the equitable selection policy should walk the talk.

“The current scenario puts to question the kind of leadership that we have in moderating and promoting issues of national importance.”

CSCQBE also recommend that UNIMA should immediately release the 2008 university entrance
results with or without the equitable selection policy for the sake of the tertiary education in Malawi.

“We believe that the university education should continue and be on track while the legal and public debate on the policy continues.”

The statement also calls on the courts to expedite the quota system case and put the matter to rest for today and posterity.

“Government may want to continue consultations for future participatory policy on University selection. But for God’s sake and the sanity of our country, let us release the 2008 University
selection,” said the statement in conclusion.

Tagged with: Bingu, quota system, UNIMA

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