Malawi President meets ‘varsity council, education ministry officials over fees impasse
President Peter Mutharika has met University of Malawi council and Education ministry officials to discuss the fees hike impasse that has led to the indefinite closure of Chancellor College and a wave of protests in other colleges.
Presidential press officer Mgeme Kalilani said Mutharika et all stakeholders in the issue in a bid to end the stand off.
This comes after calls by students and others for the President to speak out on the matter.
University of Malawi pro-vice-chancellor Alfred Mtenje said education elsewhere is very expensive therefore parents and wards should be prepared to pay more for quality education.
He said the recent fee hikes were reasonable and said there was no need to slash them.
Mtenje however said the council would be meeting stakeholders in the matter soon.
He rejected students assertion that many students have been withdrawn from colleges due to non payment of fees.
The pro-vice-chancellor said no student will be withdrawn from campus due to failure to pay tuition fees.
Mzuzu University students union president Wazamazama Katatu said the stand off can only end if Mutharika speaks on the issue as Chancellor of the University and president of the state.
“The silence is fuelling the stalemate. His timely intervention as Chancellor and academic achiever is the only key to end the saga,” said Katatu.
Students from the universiy have set aside August 4 for countrywide protests against the fee hike.
Close to 30 students from Chancellor College, Polytechnic and Kamuzu College of Nursing have been arrested due to violent protests against the fee hike.
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Hear! Hear! Wazamazama Katatu Kasanu
Koma Mutharika mumamufuna. When he was Minister of education mumati nkhani za ku University ndi za Minister not Chancellor becoz he wasnt the Chancellor. Lero simukufuna minister mukufuna Chancellor becoz it is him shame.
i will comment after i see a response frm the enstranged chancelloer……who in other word has been crowned hyner poacher……other wise i can argue ague untill JESUS KAMZ BACK
Why are our public officials so dishonest? There is no way UNIMA can assure students that no one will be rejected for failure to pay fees when these officials know that it is not within their power to avail loans to all needy students. If the assurance was coming from the university loan board or the president himself, then we could believe them ad make them sign an MOU. Otherwise, officials at UNIMA are being dishonest; no wonder we have a country that thrives on crookedness!
Fees ikhale chomwecho. Komano pakhale mwayi wa ma loan kwa ena onse omwe sangathe kulipira fees. Azizabweza akatha sukulu. Komanso pakhale dongosolo labwino lobwezera ma loan wa kuti anzawo athenso kuzapeza mwayi wa ma loan mtsogolo muno.Ngati ndalakwa ndikhululukireni