Article By: Lloyd M’bwana
Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have vehemently opposed Malawi government decision to implement public secondary schools fees and university tuition fees hiking increment saying the proposal was untimely as Malawians are going through economic turmoil.
The development means that the adjustment proposal on secondary school fees will not be executed in the 2015/2016 academic year which expected students in boarding schools paying M35, 000 per term (MK105,000 per year) while those in daily schools were to pay MK10, 000 (MK30, 000 per year) and student in national grant-aided schools were expected to pay MK65, 000 for boarding fees from MK55, 00 per term.
The motion in which Felix Jumbe, Salima Central legislator moved in Parliament on Thursday, December 3, flared tempers among law makers as those from opposition were against the hiking while government side wanted the implementation of the proposals.
After Clement Chiwaya, Deputy Speaker failed to control the chaotic scene in Parliament over disagreement on the matter, Speaker Richard Msowoya using powers provided in the Standing orders, ruled could be tabled in the House which did happen.
Despite the governing party MPs ganging against the Speaker’s ruling, Jumbe eventually tabled the motion: “Considering that the majority, especially those in rural areas are facing economic hardships responding to poor macro-economic situation, the House should resolve that school fees hike for both secondary and universities must be postponed until government endeavours to improve the income per capita of its people”.
In supporting the motion, Esther Jolobala, an independent MP for Machinga East, faulted government saying the fees hike will continue hurting parents and guardian who were already feeling the pinch of the unbearable cost of living.
But Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs Samuel Tembenu continued backing government’s decision even the motion was already on the floor.
“It’s clear, Honourable Speaker, Sir, that in terms of existing laws, the power to increase schools or demand fees is given to an authority, other than this House. You look at University Acts of University of Malawi and Mzuzu, under section 10 of those Acts, it’s clear that the University Council is the one that is vested with authority to demand or increase fees or do whatever they can to raise funds.
“Are we saying by this resolution we are asking the University Council to scrape that. Are we taking that power away from them? Let it be said that this is a lawless adventure. We are engaging in something that is outside our mandate. Even as lawmakers, what we want to talk about must be within our authority. Sadly, I must say that this is outside authority”, worried Tembenu.
Although, government bench continued sabotaging the motion on the floor, legislators eventually passed the motion which means that government will not implement school fees and tuition fees in public secondary schools and universities respectively.
The 46th Parliament seating rose on Friday, December 4, after a month long deliberation which saw nine bills passed and it’s expected to open again in February, 2016 for the mid-year budget review.
