Synod fears ‘quota system’ to trigger voter apathy in northern region
The northern region based CCAP Synod of Livingstonia says people in the region are bitter with government’s continued use of the controversial quota system for entrance into the University of Malawi, saying people may see no benefit in registering to vote because they feel betrayed.
“People are asking why they vote when the government does not listen to their problems,” the Synod’s General Secretary Reverend Levi Nyondo said in an exclusive interview.
Ironically, in October 2011 Malawi President Dr Joyce Banda, then Veep, at the launch of her PP at Katoto Freedom Park in Mzuzu unveiled her party’s ambitious plans when in government do away with the controversial quota, saying the system apart from being discriminatory was also unconstitutional.
“It is also disheartening to hear that youths with 8 points at MSCE are committing suicide because they have not been selected to university because they come from the north,” she said.
Banda also wondered why Malawi’s university enrolment has not improved since 1964.
“In 1994 Rwanda had a total University enrolment of 3,000 but today it has 24,000 while Malawi has stagnated at less than 10, 000,” she noted.
Reverend Nyondo, who admitted to having two sons one with 8 points and the other with 12 points left out, said the presence of the quota system is making people complain about the PP led government.
The Synod has relentless campaigned for the removal of the system and today still has a big bill at its Mzuzu Headquarters saying, “We are saying No to… Quota System/Equitable access to higher education”
The Synod wants the government to revert to the merit system.
Reverend Nyondo said : “President Banda was here in my office and she sat there (points to a maroon sofa set opposite his mahogany desk) and she assured the Synod that her government will not tolerate the system. But nothing has changed.”
However, the Synod said it will involve all its 360 Clerics and 23 Presbyteries to persuade people to register.
“We hope they will be high turnout because people have improved in the way they understand things despite the fact that the interest to vote is waning,” Reverend Nyondo said.–MEC Stringer
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