Malawi

UNIMA Student Union leaders backtrack on bad deal made with Malawi Pres. Mutharika  

Maravi Post correspondent
Ayuba (in suit) vows to fight until fees is slashed further
Ayuba (in suit) vows to fight until fees is slashed further

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Barely few days after President Peter Mutharika made a compromise take on University of Malawi’s (Unima) demand for fees reduction which he offered MK350,000.00 and MK850,000.00 from MK400,000.00 and MK900,000.00 for generic and mature entry students respectively, union leaders have backtracked from the proposal.This means that the fees must fall campaign rages as most students and guardians have shown that they will not afford to pay even the reduced fee.

Speaking during Zodiak Broadcasting Station’s Views Triangle program, three UNIMA union leaders Tionge Sikwese (UMSU President) Dalitso Dulani (Secretary General) and Sylvester Ayuba James (Chancellor College Students Union President) said the fees still remain high considering the economic turmoil the nation is going through.

UMSU President Sikwese defended the decision of meeting Mutharika saying it was the last thing the union would undertake after all avenues for negotiations were exhausted.

Sikwese, who was earlier accused of selling off his colleagues, is now siding with Ayuba James suggesting the fees be slashed to MK300, 000.

“Yes, we saw it fit to meet with the president as he is the Chancellor of the University of Malawi because this issue has been hanging over our heads since May. But we are still unhappy with the outcome. Something better could have come out of this,” said Sikwese.

On the other hand, Chanco Student Union President Ayuba stood firm against the decision of meeting the President Mutharika saying he lost trust in Malawi’s leaders.

Ayuba said meeting Mutharika wasnt the right move considering that the President was part of the team that proposed hiking of the fees.

He therefore said will consult students before the matter is come to a conclusion on the proposed fees reduction which Mutharika made.

“In my understanding, during consultations to hike the fees, the president was consulted as he is the Chancellor of University of Malawi.

“So this was like meeting a judge who already ruled on something and we went back to appeal to the same judge who could not contradict himself much. That is why this came out as it is.

“I represent concerned students on this fees hike, therefore will go back and consult them on what came out from the state house. Students themselves will give me direction on this matter,” said James.

There was no immediate reaction from Mgeme Kalirani, President Mutharika’s Press Secretary on students union leaders stand. But earlier, Kalirani said the President had provided extra MK2 billion to the Council to cater for the shortfall and needy students.