Students  meeting with Mutharika ‘ a waste  of opportunity’ – Ayuba:  More demos to press for  bigger margin fees must fall

Fearless Chancellor College Students Union President Sylvester Ayuba James  has said the meeting  with President Peter Mutharika on fees impasse was “ a waste of opportunity”, saying  a compromise take on University of Malawi’s (Unima) demand for fees reduction which he directed that the tuition be reduced by K50,000.

Mutharika offered MK350,000.00 and MK850,000.00 from MK400,000.00 and MK900,000.00 for generic and mature entry students respectively,   but Ayuba said it was manifesty inadequate.

Ayuba speaking during an interview aired on popural  Straight Talk programme of  Capital Radio said the fees still remain high considering the economic turmoil the nation is going through.

“That was a dismal reduction,” said Ayuba.

He vowed that the students will continue to press for further reduction of the fees.

Ayuba said meeting Mutharika wasnt the right move considering that the President was part of the team that proposed hiking of the fees.

He said “lessons have been learnt”

Ayba said during consultations to hike the fees, President Mutharika was consulted as he is the Chancellor of University of Malawi.

“So this was like meeting a judge who already ruled on something and we went back to appeal to the same judge who could not contradict himself much. That is why this came out as it is.

“I represent concerned students on this fees hike, therefore will go back and consult them on what came out from the state house. Students themselves will give me direction on this matter,” said Ayuba.

He also dismissed fears that the student leaders had been enticed with monetary gratification to accept what government claimed was compromise by President to reduce fees.

Ayuba said personally he cannot be bribed.

Meanwhile, human rights activist Undule Mwakasungula has advised students to refrain from organising more demonstrations but to allow students’ unions to continue enganging University of Malawi Council and government on the matter.

Mwakasungula cautioned that more protests wil further weaken the students burganing power.

But Ayuba said if students will take to the streets, it will be peaceful.

But Mwakasungura who is chairperson of Civil Society Platform for Constructive Dialogue  maintained that protests are not the way to go.