A fees hike meeting between University of Malawi (Unima) Council and the students union leadership in Zomba on Monday ended in stalemate after the council plainly told the students that the new fees structure will be implemented at all cost.
Recently, the Unima Council announced the rise in tuition fees that both generic and mature entry students are supposed to pay effective 2016/2017 academic year but students argue the hike is on the higher side and the approved fees have to fall.
The Monday meeting which had University of Malawi Vice Chancellor, John Saka, and Pro-Vice Chancellor, Alfred Mtenje, as some of high ranking officials from the council, followed another fruitless meeting on Saturday.
When the students sought the attention of the government through a petition two weeks ago, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology pushed them to the University Council.
However, during the Monday meeting, the council reportedly told the students that those who can manage to pay the recently approved fees will be going to the university.
In a statement to students, University of Malawi Students Union (Umsu) president Tionge Sikwese said what the council has said means the negotiations between the two sides have reached a dead end.
“As Umsu Executive Council, we ask our members (Unima students) to think critically about this as we seek to engage in the next step of our struggle. We, accordingly, strongly request all members to remain united through our different colleges so that we keep strong while remaining focused on our objective. Consultation, where necessary, can be and should be made at college levels.
“Suffice to have union leaders at college level coordinating their activities with Umsu leadership so that we all move with the same steps,” Sikwese said.
He said Umsu will be communicating on the way forward as the union seeks to fulfill all the legal formalities for the planned vigils at the Central University offices in Zomba.
Zomba City Council is also said to have refused to give permission for the students to start their vigil from Tuesday, July 12.
According to the approved fees, generic students will be required to pay tuition fees ranging from K400,000 to K600, 000 while mature entry students are expected to contribute fees ranging from K900, 000 to K1.4 million.
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