Polytechnic students fight Union leaders over ‘University closure’

Division has emerged among students from Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi (UNIMA) over the recent fee hike saga which has led to the delay in opening the institution.

Polytechnic Students Union (PSU) leaders obtained injunction last month restraining the University Council from implement the new fees starting from 2016/17 academic calendar, arguing that the institution is behind with one 1 year in terms of academic calendar.

But the Council maintained its stand, saying if the fees are not hiked the institution will not open its does and last week the Council challenged the injunction.

Due to this development some concerned students on Wednesday orgainsed a media briefing in the commercial capital Blantyre to plead with Polytechnic Students Union (PSU) to drop the case.

The concerned also asked Union Leaders to give in to what the Council is demanding to pave way for the opening of the college.

Speaking on behalf of what they called “concerned students”, Yohane Sambakusi said PSU is no longer representing the interest of the majority of the students.

Yohane also requested the Union to accommodate the views of other students by accepting that students pay the hiked tuition fees and engage the council on opening the college before the case returns to court on December 12.

He said over 500 students have agreed to the new fees implemented by the Council.

Meanwhile PSU President Frank Msiska is yet to respond to the request put forward by the said students.