Nkhoma University students lash at authorities over mediocre education standards
Final year education students at Nkhoma University (NKHUNI) in Lilongwe have expressed their concern over compromised education standards at the institution and fear they will graduate half-baked.
In a strong worded letter addressed to the vice chancellor, Professor Hofmaya, which Nyasa Times has sourced, the students—who refer to themselves as “concerned fourth year students”—have quashed the manner in which teaching practice (TP) is handled as utterly deplorable.
The students allege that, among others, the University allows that they be supervised by personnel with “no proper education background.”
According to the students, “60-65 per cent of NKHUNI TP supervisors are those with other qualifications [such as] Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Arts Humanities/Social Sciences.”
The tendency, they say, is “worrisome” because it is “compromising” education standards in the country.
Adds the letter which has also been copied to the University’s registrar, Yobe Lungu, and the National Council for Higher Education (NHCE): “Nkhoma University has engaged lecturers with no educational background to supervise and assess student-teachers on teaching practice…we do not want to continue being exposed to this mediocrity of being guided by ‘blind supervisors’ in the field of education.”
The students have since demanded for qualified personnel to supervise them, threatening to “dodge” should the non-qualified show up for evaluation.
But in an emailed response to the students, Lungu questioned the legitimacy of the concerns, suggesting that the writers of the petition simply want “to destroy” the image and reputation of the University.
“However, without completely playing down the anonymous approach in these queries, NKHUNI will appreciate if the said concerned students will come in the open and follow an appropriate channel of communication as provided for in the students’ handbook of Nkhoma University,” reads the response in part.
What the so called concerned students are saying is very true. Lecturers like Mr. Hussen, Mrs Mwale, Mr. Lungu, Mr. Juma etc are the ABC graduates. How can a graduate from a college lecturer university students. Check the so called University’s prospectus you will notice this . Recruitment is based on one’s relationship with Mr. Lungu.
Iam a student there but iam hearing it from this forum. Why did the students choose to hide if what they claim is true?…akuthawa ma supp awa
Take TTC training for example. They train MSCE holders for just one year, then one full at teaching practice. It means that the real training is only one year. No wonder these teachers are half baked and have no sound theoretical background. It also means those who feared sciences in school have not had time to move up from MSCE and find their feet. And we expect them to encourage our kids to like maths and sciences.
Osadanda inu phee mafana. U have copied NCHE they will come and close your school, inu mukatero kukacheza ndi masteni ndi madala pa deni mukasangalala kumudzi
Do these students understand the roles of NCHE. You are biting a finger that feeds you. Voicing out is good but you have not followed appropriate channel of communication. Why copy NCHE when this is internal affair between yourself and University Mgt not involving external stakeholders at this stage. Be cautious, you might fall victims in this respect. Suppose your college gets closed today???? What next