NRC reopens Nov 21: Students to pay for damages
The Natural Resources College (NRC), a constituent of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), reopens on November 21 after its closure two months ago following students’ protests protests over its decision to hike fees by 45 percent.
The situation had turned rowdy forcing management to close it indefinitely on September 21. About 20 students were arrested during the protests.
A statement released by Launar registrar Phillip Kaonda said the instution will breathe to life next week.
Students will have to contribute a sum of K7 275 towards the cost of damages incurred during the fracas, the statement said.
The students have been advised to pay at least half of the semester’s fees before commencement of registration which begins on Saturday, September 19.
Tuition is another thorn-in-the-flesh for a good number of students at the campus, Nyasa Times understands.
A hike in the same at the University of Malawi resulted in the closure of the Polytechnic and protests at the Chancellor College.
Unima pegged the new fees structure for generic students from K55 000 to K400 000, K275 000 to K400 000 and K275 000 to K900 000 for mature entry students.
Later, following a prolonged impasse, President Peter Mutharika met the student leaders in Lilongwe where he announced a K50 000 reduction in the new fees.
There is currently a ‘Fees Must Fall!’ campaign by education rights activists in the country.
