MCP for abolishment of quota system in education
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has indicated that it will immediately remove the controversial quota system for entrance into the University of Malawi saying it is discriminatory and a disservice to Malawians.
MCP vice president Richard Msowoya said this during whistle-stop tours at Misuku, Kapoka and Chitipa Boma.
Msowoya, a former minister of education in the DPP led government, voluntarily resigned when the DPP government bulldozed the system despite massive resistance from the populace.
“Malawians must have a chance to go to the university regardless of origin or tribe,” he said.
The northern region based CCAP Synod of Livingstonia has always claimed that people are bitter with the government’s continued use of the system.
The Synod has relentless campaigned for the removal of the system and today still has a big billborad at its Mzuzu Headquarters saying, “We are saying No to… Quota System/Equitable access to higher education”
The Synod wants the government to revert to the merit system.
Msowoya, who was accompanied by the party’s top brass, Publicity Secretary Jessie Kabwila, acting Secretary General Chatonda Kaunda, Campaign director Felix Jumbe and director of women Mrs Chirambo, said MCP will instead support private tertiary institutions so that they absorb many students.
In October 2011 Malawi President Joyce Banda, then Veep, at the launch of her Peoples Party at Katoto Freedom Park in Mzuzu unveiled her party’s ambitious plans to do away with the system saying it was also unconstitutional.
But Banda has remained mum since assuming the reins of power following the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika in 2012.
MCP Publicist Jessie Kabwila, told a rally at Chitipa Boma on Monday that she has been a champion of academic freedom because it is not proper for the state to turn tertiary institutions into political arms.
On food security, Msowoya said MCP will resuscitate estate farming and rice scheme to ensure that Malawians has abundant food all the times.
He reiterated that MCP will revise the subsidy programme because coupons have been used as a political weapon to woo people’s votes.
“Our Chiefs have lost the respect because they get few coupons than the number of people in their areas causing people to suspect them of corruption,” the MCP Veep said.
He said Malawi has regressed in terms of development despite attaining 50 years of independence because successive leaders have perpetually instilled the culture of handouts.
