CHANCO TO TAKE A STAND ON QUOTA

Chanco to take a stand on quota BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE Chancellor College students have finally decided to take a stand as regards the reintroduction of the controversial quota system of selecting students into the University of Malawi. During a General Assembly convened in the Great Hall last Thursday, contributors to the motion “Do we need to take a stand on quota” differed, with some arguing that there is little information about quota and that “it is ridiculous to act on something without first digging out enough information”. But in a referendum last Monday where 569 students participated, 133 maintained their neutral stand while 436 decided to take a stand. During the general assembly which was poorly patronized, some students still thought the information that has been disseminated through the media was enough and that “it is being unrealistic for a whole intellectual to argue that there isn’t enough information on quota when the issue was already there last year only to resurface under the guise of equitable access to university education”. Towards the end of last week, despite suggestions that Chanco should maintain a neutral stand on quota, exclusive interviews with a number of students indicated that the majority was against the implementation of the system, with most of them centering their arguments on the idea that the system is discriminatory and that it nullifies the whole essence of hard work. Still more, some students observed that “equity” is a very significant thing as long as the limited space in the public universities is concerned. They argued that no section of society should be allowed to monopolize university education. “University education is supposed to be accessed by diverse parts of the country. It is unfair for one part to monopolize it,” said one student. Other students who argued for the implementation of quota could not justify their stand other than that “we also want our siblings to come here.” In a circular inviting the students to declare their stand as regards the system, Students Union of Chancellor College (Succ) Speaker Vieson Pinanyaza Thawani said “Time has arrived for us to speak once more as regards the quota system. Now that the debate on the proposed quota system has once more shaken the psyche of our national conscious, silence would be a betrayal to future generations. Only participatory democracy can once and for all settle this rigorous debate. In a nation like ours where freedom of speech is a birthright for all, it would be betrayal to this right if we, as intellectuals, failed to voice our views.” Last year, the Council wanted to use the system but was restrained by the courts. But rumours have it that the system was still used, though it was not made public. Some people argue that in the previous Unima selection list there were traces of quota at work. Michael Mutisala, a student at the institution said that quota system may result into people changing their names and districts of origin just to find their way to the university. He added that as a matter of fact, quota means merit is useless. “In education, success is supposed to be given out solely on merit grounds and quota compromises this. This has come at a time when people out there are blaming Unima of not producing efficient graduates. And it can be a mockery to Unima as a whole if quota were implemented,” said Mutisala. A member of the Students Union Executive who opted for anonymity said that the reintroduction of quota is against the amendment act of Unima which condemns any sort of discrimination in the selection of students. The act stipulates that the Council shall not discriminate against any person because of race, ethnic origin, political affiliation or opinion, religion or sex in respect of registration of any person as a student of the university. “The current development means that the act no longer matters. This was not supposed to be the case. It is a provision that has to be respected whatever the case,” he said. Commenting on Minister of Education Dr. George Chaponda’s assertion that the aim of quota is to ensure that there is equity so that no region has a greater chance of sending its citizens to the university, the Succ member said that it means the Minister looks at Malawians regarding their areas of origin. “We are all Malawians before we become northerners, southerners and centrals. Merit in the education system is the only monopoly and nothing is supposed to compromise it,” she said. Most of the interviewed students argued that the most practical way of ensuring that there is equity as regards university education is by making sure schools have the same teaching and learning materials. They said it is ridiculous to argue that some schools perform better than others because they have all the necessary equipment and staffing. “Why can’t government just level the playing field instead of punishing hard-workers because of working hard? Is it very difficult for government to ensure that all schools in Malawi have the same opportunities when it comes to teaching and learning?” argued one student. Former Succ Speaker Timothy Pagonacho Mtambo observed that it was sad that his fellow students were pretending that they did not have much information on the issue when it has been publicized in the media many times. He added that the current “version” of quota is not different from that of last year where the students marched to Zomba District Assembly offices where they presented a petition which rejected the system. While maintaining his neutral position on the matter, Mickeus Luciano, a Second Year Law student said there might be both the good and the bad sides of the system. Last year, the University Council and academics that consisted of deans of faculties as well as heads of departments at the University of Malawi disagreed over this controversial system which the council wanted to use when selecting students. The senate agreed to implement quota system if it was going to take poverty and disability into consideration, not the districts students came from. The academics feared that quota system might recruit into the colleges mediocre students, thereby dwindling the standards of university education and giving lecturers a tough time. It was reported that finally students were selected on merit.