Students at Kaliati school march in protest
Students at PAK Foundation owned by Information minister and Civic Education Patricia Kaliati on Tuesday marched from the school at Chonde in Mulanje to the minister’s residence at Nkando Trading Centre demanding back their school fees because the school had failed them in all aspects.
The irate students clad in red marched over a distance of about 20 km to Nkando chanting and calling names the school management.
One of the students said, “Lessons are poor at this school. Most of the times we are not learning.Most of the teachers are not qualified. We have had no proper food for a number of days. There is no electricity. The small generator which was here was taken by debtors when the school failed to settle bills.”
Another student added, “We students were misled by the advert the school carried on some radio stations. The advert gave a picture that PAK Foundation was one of the best schools in the district and the fact that it belongs to a minister, we were convinced that it was indeed a good school but it is to the contrary.”
The students said they just want their fees back and go to other schools.
The drama did not stop at Nkando. When Kaliati was informed, she drove to the school on a ministerial Benz with the national flag on.
The students who had returned to the school, stormed the government vehicle and threatened to break it with stones. The minister had no choice but call police officers to quell the situation.
Some concerned parents said they were withdrawing their students immediately because there is no hope with the school.
“I am withdrawing my son immediately. I will find another school. What happens at this school according to what my son has told me, is not impressing at all. We were just throwing our money away,” said the parent.
As the students stormed the government vehicle, Kaliati, the school management and representatives of the students and some parents were locked up in a meeting which yided nothing according to one parent.
Kaliati was recently charged with bankruptcy for failing to pay for stationery which was used at the school. The cheques she paid were not honoured at the bank.
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