By Pickson Chipeso
Government has dismissed claims circulating on social media that Malawians will be required to pay fees to renew academic certificates every two years.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Bright Msaka clarified the matter on Monday at Parliament in Lilongwe, describing the information as false.
“The story circulating on social media about the government introducing certificate renewal fees is not true and people should disregard it,” said Msaka.
Msaka said the rumour alleged that holders of master’s degrees would be required to pay K10000 to renew their certificates.
He said the government dismissed the claim on the same day it appeared on social media, stressing that the information was fabricated.
Msaka also criticised the decision by an opposition member of Parliament to repeat the claim in the House despite the government clarifying the issue.
He said the development showed the need for leaders to verify information before presenting it in Parliament.
Msaka added that the government believed the public had already dismissed the rumour as false until it resurfaced during parliamentary proceedings.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Phiri-Lanjuzi Constituency, Peter Dimba earlier claimed that the government intended to introduce certificate renewal fees every two years.
The government has since urged the public to rely on verified information and avoid spreading misinformation.
