Deputy Speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje attacks Minister of Education on universities’ closure

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Esther Mcheka Chilenje on Tuesday took to task Minister of Education Science and Technology Emmanuel Fabiano for allegedly denying responsibility and failure to provide an explanation on the future of the closed universities and colleges.

The MPs had taken turns pressing Fabiano to provide answers on whether government is reopening the closed universities or if indeed it has decided to completely shut them.

But just like President Peter Mutharika before him, Fabiano also distanced himself from universities’ closure saga.

Fabiano’s stand promoted the Deputy Speaker to intervene on the matter attracting ululation from opposition benches.

Chilenje said as Minister of Education he is representing the councils; hence, the need for him to address all the questions pertaining to the education sector.

“I wish to ask you to tone down and objectively address concerns from the members. You don’t expect the councils to come here.

“You are representing the councils, Honourable Minister. So, address the questions from the MPs,” Mcheka Chilenje.

Speaking during the first congregation of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) last week, Mutharika declared that he does not want “everything to come to me” whenever a crisis arises in the universities.

President Peter Mutharika has accused councils and managements of public universities of contributing to the closure of the institutions of higher learning because of their resistance to embrace the ongoing reforms in the public service.