Csec petitions Parliament over university closures

The Civil Society Education Coalition (Csec) yesterday petitioned the National Assembly over the indefinite closure of some universities and the recent refusal by the National Council for Higher Education (Nche) to accredit some universities in the country.

Speaking when she presented the petition to the Speaker of Parliament through Parliamentary Committee on Education chairperson Elias Chakwera, Csec board chairperson Julie Juma said the contents of the petition represents concerns of millions of Malawians on the subject matter.

“As a network of 82 member organisations representing millions of Malawians from across the country, we feel duty-bound to call upon Parliament within its representative, legislative and oversight functions, to deliberate and impress upon relevant authorities to decisively deal with the higher education crisis that we have found ourselves in.”

In the petition, Csec argues that the reasons for closure of the universities have been obvious and predictable only that government is by-passing contact and dialogue in dealing with the issues.

The petition further blames government for politicising the accreditation of institutions of higher learning.

Reads the statement in part: “There is evident politicisation and a lack of autonomy in the management and governance of institutions of higher learning as well as Nche.” n