SALIMA-(MaraviPost—The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Spokesperson Dr. Jessie Kabwira has asked the University of Malawi (Unima) council to immediately rescind its unpopular fees hike decision describing it as illegitimate as it is affecting the poor.
Dr. Kabwira, a Member of Parliament for Salima North West Constituency has joined other quarters of the society including students, guardian and parents who are making similar calls for Unima council to reverse its decision on the fee hike.
Kabwira made the calls after the launch of Marriage, Divorce and Relationship Act sensitization campaign in her constituency over the weekend.
With support from UN Women and Wisa, the campaign attracted chiefs, young people, parents, religious leaders, government officials.
Kabwira who is also SADC Parliamentary women caucus chairperson said the fee hike in public university was too heavy for the poor.
She observed that it was this type of policies which perpetuate early marriages as many children drop out of schools due to heavy burden of fees.
Kabwira, MCP’s shadow Minister of Gender, bashed the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for accusing opposition parties of being behind university students’ demonstrations saying the learners were not kids to be told on what do for a thing that affects their education.
“This fee hike is illegitimate as it’s not appealing to most poor people’s social-economic status in the society. How many rural Malawians can afford MK400, 000 for their tertiary education? What we are saying, the increase is too much for the rural people.
“Therefore, without fear this fee hike must fall to accommodate all deserving and intelligent students. “These are policies which are perpetuating early marriages in this country. Instead of creating inclusive policies, this insensitive government thinks otherwise.
“It’s unfortunate that DPP government is now accusing opposition parties of fueling student’s demonstrations. Are you sure that university students can’t make their own decisions? This government must stop questioning the legality of higher learning institutions,” said Kabwira.
Meanwhile, Unima council on Tuesday maintained its earlier decision of hiking the fees calling those students who cannot manage to afford the current fees to report to the authority.
On rampant cases of early marriages, the legislator vowed to deal with chiefs and parents who force underage girls into marriages.
Group village headman Amin of Traditional Authority (T.A) Makanjira lauded their lawmaker for bringing light to constituents on the new law saying she has empowered chiefs to formulate and strengthen by-laws that will help in encouraging girls to go further with their education.
