The Polytechnic Students Union would like to express its utmost concern over the ongoing salary increment standoff between UNIMA Council and Polytechnic Staff Committee on Welfare – PASCOW which has led to the downing of tools by a majority of lecturers at the college.
As a union with the academic welfare of our fellow students at heart the PSU has been closely monitoring the situation while at the same engaging all means possible within our mandate and jurisdiction, with hope of a quick and amicable solution to the situation.
The PSU is dismayed at the fact that two weeks down the line, the two sides are failing to reach a compromise. As past experience has taught us, it is always the students who are at loss at the end of such a stalemate.
Without being partisan, the PSU would like to remind both parties that despite causing further delay to the college’s academic calendar which is behind by a year, the standoff is also an infringement on student’s right to education.
Also important to note is the fact that most students subsist on meagre hard earned resources which are at the moment being thrown down the drain as they are incurring daily expenses at a time they are not attending classes.
The PSU also fears for unruly and promiscuous behavior that students may engage in during this period that they are forced to stay idle.
In most cases, the authorities rush in closing the college instead of finding solutions to the problems.
The PSU is concerned that any premature closure of the college would continue to affect the image of Polytechnic which has been previously portrayed negatively by the general public.
The Polytechnic Students Union believes that it’s high time that the image of The Polytechnic be restored.
Previously, the students have been accused by the general for being the main perpetrators for the bad image. However, the PSU would like to assure the general public that the polytechnic students are committed to the rebuilding of the polytechnic image.
Not to be overlooked is the negative effects that such kind of stand offs have on the country’s economy as;
i. The college which is funded by government keeps on incurring operation costs at a time students are not learning such as; electricity bills, water bills and wages just to mention a few.
ii. Students who are on the verge of completing their studies are further delayed together with their expertise and knowledge which they would have contributed to the various industries that help drive the country’s economy.
It is for these underlying factors that the PSU would like to categorically urge the two sides to settle their differences in the shortest time possible and in the best interest of the University of Malawi and Polytechnic’s major objective which is to provide education.
As Polytechnic Students Union – PSU, we hold the highest esteem for both the University of Malawi Council and our lecturers and we do hope that the two sides cannot fall short of a mutual settlement.
The Polytechnic Students Union – PSU also wishes to take this opportunity to commend all Polytechnic students for upholding their calm and discipline during this period. While urging our fellow learners to maintain their calm, PSU would also like to pledge its ultimate commitment to ensuring that the academic interests of all students are protected at all times, and that the union will not rest until the matter at hand is resolved.
PSU PRESIDENT: Frank Mchupuka Msiska
GENERAL SECRETARY: Chifundo Nkata