BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-A deepening student welfare crisis is unfolding at Mzuzu University, with the Students’ Representative Council (MUSREC) issuing a passionate appeal to authorities to urgently intervene before more lives and academic futures are lost.
In a strongly worded letter dated 6 February 2026, MUSREC President George Kamadya formally petitioned the University Council, warning that growing financial hardship among students has reached alarming levels and now threatens the very purpose of higher education.
Addressed to the Chairperson of the Mzuzu University Council and copied to key university authorities and the Minister of Education, the letter calls for immediate action to protect students who are being locked out of examinations, classrooms and basic survival due to poverty.
According to Kamadya, more than 40 academically eligible students failed to sit for their end of semester examinations solely because they could not clear outstanding tuition fees, despite being fully prepared.
He says the situation violates principles of equity and risks destroying years of sacrifice by students and their families.
Even more troubling, MUSREC reports worsening food insecurity on campus, with many students struggling to secure a single meal a day.
The SRC claims the university community has lost three students in incidents linked to extreme hunger and distress a development that has sent shockwaves across the campus.
“As hunger increases, students’ health, mental wellbeing and academic performance continue to deteriorate,” Kamadya noted, stressing that welfare and education cannot be separated.
The crisis has been intensified by delays in the disbursement of student loans by the Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board. Many students who were approved for loans have not received their funds, leaving them unable to pay tuition, accommodation, food and transport, especially as the semester draws to a close.
Of particular concern is the recent exclusion of Open and Distance Learning (ODeL) students from the loan scheme, a move MUSREC describes as discriminatory and unjust.
Kamadya argues that ODeL students pursue the same accredited programmes and are assessed under the same standards as conventional students, yet are now denied financial support purely because of the mode of delivery.
“This decision undermines national commitments to inclusive and equitable access to higher education,” the letter states, warning that vulnerable and non traditional learners are being pushed into deeper economic distress.
While some students have benefited from limited support through university scholarships and assistance from organisations such as Egenco, CAMFED, National Bank and the Bakili Muluzi Foundation, MUSREC says such efforts are not enough to address the scale of the crisis.
Students are also reminding authorities of campaign promises made by President Lazarus Chakwera and outlined in the Democratic Progressive Party manifesto, particularly on student loans, food support and welfare commitments they say should now be extended decisively to the university sector.
Speaking to MaraviPost, Kamadya acknowledged that most students have now accessed their loans, with fewer than 10 still affected, but said the delays caused severe hardship.
He explained that many students struggled to feed themselves, settle rental balances, buy data bundles, print assignments and meet daily academic demands.
“The biggest challenge was survival.Some students couldn’t even afford to photocopy or print assignments because they had no money for food or data.” Kamadya said in an interview.
MUSREC has given the University Council seven days to indicate a way forward and initiate concrete measures, warning that failure to act may force the SRC, in consultation with students, to consider lawful steps to defend their welfare and academic rights.
