The Natural Resources College – NRC – in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe on Tuesday expelled seven students and suspended eight others deemed as ring leaders during September demonstrations.
During the protests, the students were against management’s decision to hike tuition fees by over 100 %.
The expelled and suspended students are all members of the Students Union, according union President Precious Phiri.
He also confirmed that the students received the expulsion and suspension letters signed by the College’s Acting Principle Mr. Muhammad Haniss on Tuesday.
In part the latter reads “with reference to the disciplinary meeting that was held on 25 September 2012, I would like to inform you that you have been found guilty and consequently have been expelled from the college with effect from the date of this letter”.
As of Wednesday, the students were working towards obtaining a court injunction to challenge the decision.
In September NRC was indefinitely closed after police used teargas to disperse students who were protesting against fees hike from K134, 000 to K279, 000 per semester.
Despite the protests, NRC management remained adamant not to reduce the tuition arguing the institution is not subverted by the government.
