Abolish quota system, Malawi President told at Umtheto

CCAP Livingstonia Synod moderator Douglas Chipofya has reiterated the synod’s demand for President Peter Mutharika to abolish the controversial university quota system, saying it is denying deserving Malawians access to education.

He said the controversial quota system, under which university entry was determined by one’s place or origin rather than straight merit, should be abolished.

Chipofya said this on Saturday during the Umthetho Cultural Festival.

He, however, expressed delight in government quest for increase intake into public universities.

Chipofya nonetheless commended Mutharika for launching construction of Mombera University of Animal Sciences in Mzimba to ease the scramble for higher education in the country.

He reiterated that the country needs a short-term solution to end the quota system which the synod’s general secretary, the Reverend Levi Nyondo, termed a monster.

The DPP government  is championing the construction of nearly 10 universities to expand access to tertiary education.

Malawi University of Science and Technology, constructed through a Chinese loan, opened its doors in Thyolo.

Bunda College of Agriculture was delinked from the University of Malawi in August 2011 to become part of the newly established Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

In his speech about the cultural festival, Mutharika said he strongly believes in preservation of culture and its diversity.

“Culture is the rock on which we build development. We can use culture to shape the way we think and do things. This is the duty of every cultural group in this country. Therefore, cultural groupings should teach us the right values that will make us a proud, united and successful nation,” said Mutharika.

The President said Malawi needs to develop a culture of patriotism, integrity and a spirit of hard work among people.

“These values and pillars of progress must be embraced and be made part of our culture, in all our cultural groupings across the nation,” he said.

Mutharika also said embracing our culture and heritage will support and promote the economic transformation the Malawi government has undertaken.