Aford says Malawi govt plans K5000 primary school fees
President of the Alliance for Democracy (Aford), Enock Chihana, on Saturday alleged that the Malawi Government is planning to impose a K5000 tuition fee on any primary school pupil as a strategy to complement its zero-budget effective next term of school calendar , a development he cautioned might worsen education quality further.
Chihana made the statement at Chibanja ward in Mzuzu when he wooed registered voters to vote for Gibson Chisale the party’s candidate in the August 25 Local Government by-elections in the city.
But deputy Minister of Defense Jappie Mhango who was also in the same area with Northern Region Democratic progressive Party (DPP)governor Keneth Sanga wooing support for George Manda have dismissed the claims saying as far as they are concerned education is still free in primary schools.
Chihana said with parents in primary schools already paying a development fund of K500 every month, apart from paying for health services in the hospitals when sick, it means the government has failed to deliver what it was entrusted by the people to improve life when it came to power in the elections he alleged were rigged.
“I have information within government that there is such a plan and I warn you people against voting for DPP come August 25 polls.” Said Chihana.
He said Chisale is the right candidate to push for better roads, clinics, police community, ADMARC services at council and voice out against what he described as oppressive policies of the DPP led government if they are to be spared from the continued social economic challenges.
But Mhango and Sanga said the political gimmick is meant to brain wash the people so that their party loses trust in the DPP led government.
The Malawi Electoral Commission will conduct polls in Mzuzu to give the residents of Chibanja ward a second chance to elect a councilor who could ably represent them at Mzuzu City Council on matters of development.
Charles Nyirongo who was duly elected during the 2014 tripartite elections died in September this year.
Ulaya Kaunda of Mafunde, Charles Mlogera (MCP) Manda (DPP) Aford (Chisale) Esmey Zinthambo (Umodzi party and Mike Phiri (Independent) will battle for the post.
thats useles omwe poyamba anayamba kuti primary ikhale ya ulele anali opanda zelu ndiye pano umbuli uchuluka bcz its not every one can afford that much money dnt think the way ur spending much money aday its nt evety one think abt villagers
I believe introduction of fees is a welcome devepment
Kumaonatu amalawi kodi mtsogoleri wabodza lowonekeratu ngati uyu angathandize dziko kuti litukuke?uyu ndiofunika azathu omwewo osati amalawi tonse ayi.abale mtundu uwu unakhala bwanji,ndichifukwa chake Dr Banda anafulumira kutsekera modzi wa iwo anadziwa kuti ndiosokoneza…..tiyenazoni tovote basi.
BWAMPN ADMINSTRATION, CHEATN DOES NOT PAY!
People can pay but your school education average is low,your teachers are leaving children in the classroom
Thats good thouts maybe to improve quality education in Malawi it happens tha mwana kufika standard 4 but failing to read
zingakhale bwino kutinso aphunzitsi adzilandila msanga komanso increment. Ifenso tinkalipila during out time bwenzinsi pano itadutsa 5000.
Even if it can be K5000.00 per year no problem. I myself paid for my primary education sizachilendo ku Malawi kuno.
I welcome the idea of paying tuition fee in primary. Fellow Malawians the government is spending a lot in this sector, so that when it tries to up lift other sectors this important sector suffers. Teachers salaries not being payed on time and schools are not developed further. for this reason, I think this tuition fees may help to reduce the problems the sector is facing. Of course with proper strategies and laws to govern this programme. For example, the government should decentralize the controlling of this programme at school level. In doing so the government will be just providing… Read more »
much as i dont like the way DPP is running the affairs of the country,if the idea is true as Chihana is saying then am supporting the plan. because the Education standard has gone down because there are alot of under funding and that cause teachers not doing a good job because of frustration. my only worry is with the way DPP is Cashgating in the Government i dont think that money will be safe