By Wendy Mkandawire
A decision by four out of six public higher learning institutions to increase tuition fees by about 100% has sparked debate among stakeholders across the country.
Mzuzu University (MZUNI), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), and the University of Malawi (UNIMA) have all implemented the tuition fee hike, following similar announcements in recent weeks.
Education expert Irland Mtambo described the decision as worrisome, warning that the increases could limit access for students from low-income families.
He said it will place an added burden on parents who are already struggling with the current economic challenges of paying tuition for their children.
Mtambo also warned that a 100% increase, as implemented by some institutions, is a serious concern that requires urgent consideration, despite universities’ commitment to maintaining quality standards in line with economic factors.
He has urged the government, through the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB), to expand its loan scheme so it can reach more students from low-income families.
Stakeholders continue to weigh the impact of the hikes on access to higher education, with calls growing for mitigation measures to protect vulnerable students.
The fee adjustments by UNIMA and KUHeS follow similar moves by MZUNI and LUANAR, meaning that most of the country’s major public universities have now raised tuition costs significantly amid rising operational expenses.
|
|
Wendy Mkandawire is a journalist for Leyman Publications based in Lilongwe, Malawi. |
