The Malawi government through Ministry of Education has refused an allegation Alliance for Democracy (Aford)’s President Enoch Chihana made over the weekend claiming that President Peter Mutharika leadership plans to institute a MK5,000 tuition fee in primary schools to implement its zero-aid budget, effective next school calendar.
Chihana made the allegation on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Chibanja ward in Mzuzu where he was addressing masses in a bid to woo votes for the Gibson Chisale, Aford’s candidate in the upcoming local government by-elections slated for August 25, 2015.
“I have information from within government that such a plan is in place and I warn you people against voting for DPP candidates come August 25 polls”, alleges Chihana But in an exclusive interview with the Maravi Post on Tuesday, August, 18, 2015, the Ministry of Education’s Spokesperson, Manfred Ndloviassured the nation of continue enjoying free primary education for all.
“As of now, government hasn’t any plans to introduce tuitions fees in primary schools rather working on best modalities of such initiative for enhancing quality education in the country. This is a standing lone model of making sure that Malawian children access basic free education services.
“We understand the system has some huddles but it can reach to an extent of instituting fees for already stricken economy to the citizenry. The ministry will continue providing free primary education to all public schools”, assures Ndlovi.
Malawi free primary school education was introduced in 1994 in United Democratic Front (UDF)’s Bakili Muluzi era in a bid to increase access to basic needs education for the rural masses which still faces numerous challenges including lack of teaching, learning materials, inadequate of teaching staff with little motivation, low and late payment among others.
