Thandizani Newspaper Yanu
Malawi quota system 'temporary'
BLANTYRE--The controversial quota system in higher education is a temporary scheme and the idea was hatched by the University Council, says education minister George Chaponda.
Chaponda who addressed a news conference in the capital Lilongwe said the system used for admission into public universities was a "temporary measure until such a time as public universities are expanded to accommodate all deserving students."
"When we have reached a certain stage, it might be reviewed," he said.
He said if resources were enough, the poor country would establish additional public universities aimed at increasing access to higher education.
Chaponda said the idea, which has generated a lot of heat for the government, was a baby of the University Council and government, convinced it was the right thing to do at this time, gave its greenlight for implementation.
Ben Kandoole, chair of the University Council who was at the conference, said the quota system was meant to kick-off in 2008.
Cleric Levi Nyondo, General secretary of the Livingstonia Synod, vocal critics of the system, was qouted by the Nation newspaper Monday as saying: "To us, whether it is temporary or permanent, we still regard it as a bad thing. It's still discrimanatory."--maravipost.
Comments
What plans are they putting in place in order to expand access to higher education? As I write, UNIMA is dying. And they do not have any clue as to how they will revamp it.
