Malawi govt says VP Chilima ‘misses point’ on abolition of quota system
Malawi government has issued a statement to reject remarks by the country’s Vice-President Saulos Chilima who described government’s decision to abolish the quota system of selecting students to public universities as deceptive and copying his UTM Party manifesto.
Chilima told a rally in Mzuzu on Sunday that his UTM Party has been condemning the system over the years and that government was “copying” UTM manifesto to abolish the quota system.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology on Thursday announced the abolition of the quota system of selecting students into public universities based on their district of origin, instead of merely merit.
And reacting to Chilima’s remarks, Minister of Information, Civic Education and communication Technology, Mark Botomani issued a media statement on Monday saying abolition of quota system is a result of “wide consultative” processes that Ministry of Education took with key stakeholders.
In addition, Botomani, who is also Malawi government spokesperson, said the abolition of quota system follows several developments that will ensure more student spaces in tertiary institutions than before.
Information minister Botomani advises the State Vice President that “the policy shifts are a product of a long process of consultation and research taken by the government.”
Government spokesperson said vice-president Chilima was aware of the consultative process.
“Further, government would like to remind Dr Chilima and the UTM that quota system was a national policy and not a regional policy,” said Botomani.
In the statement, government says policy changes are not campaign tools and that the possibility of a fresh presidential election does not mean that government business has come to a halt.
“Malawi has a functional government with a President and Cabinet. Government will continue to function and serve Malawians in their best interest,” said Botomani.
The move to abolish quota system — which critics claimed suppressed minorities, especially those from the Northern Region—has won President Peter Mutharika’s administration cautious praise from the policy’s abolition proponents who are worried that the decision could just be a tactic to attract the Northern Region vote ahead of the fresh presidential polls.
Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), one of the fierce critics of the system, said it welcomes the news, but it will take a wait-and-see position to monitor implementation.
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Northerners are hard workers and blessed people. Mwathetsa quota system chifukwa DPP and UDF akufuna mavoti.Munalikut 10 yrs Yonseyi,mwankhala mukupanga quota system.Poti mukawina mubwezeretsanso quota system.One day North Malawi yidzango yima poyokha.Zinazi zingowachedwetsa chitukuko chawo.
And Bottoman so for you to abolish it when you do not have enough universities what has changed? Dont think you are clever than all of the people. You know why you are doing it now. The qota was aimed at the people you do not want to prosper in any filed and can only be described as intellectual vandalism
Bottoman ndi Bakha weniweni
Botomani is talking shit. The government did not abolish the entire quota system. The selection of students to high schools quota system still exist and targeted at the minority tribes in the Northern region. I don’t know what did the Northerners do to these people that they hate them so much with passion. Northerners’ lives is like that of a Tutsi in Rwanda. They have been accused that they were favorites to their colonisers, and they deserve to be killed. We asked the leadership in the Southern region to let the Northerners go peacefully and have their own independent Republic… Read more »
Yes a campaign gimmick and yes copying Chilimas policy. Is there anything good coming from this tippex tribalist? NO.
What drink is in your bottle, Mr Bottle man? If it is not alcohol then you must be crazy. Everyone knows DPP introduced both quota and JCE abolition policies and you have been adamant defending the infamous policies. What has changed is 50+1 rule of choosing president in the forthcoming elections This is the main reason for you to cheat us. Hoping you win you will go back to these infamous policies. You are a cheat.
Botomani Mutu ngati wa gulo
I think Peter appointed an inept politician to be government spokesman. He is a shallow minded politician
In fact the government must get credit for listening to it’s people and. VP Chilima is one of the people. Bravo APM all credits are yours.
Botomani, sometimes its better to just keep your silence.