When we went and met Her Excellency last year on reservations we had regarding a University Fee Hike to K 250, 000 for self-sponsored students, the President told us that much as she had the political power to direct the Council and even order a revision of the Fee Hike, she was not going to do so because between her and Council, it was Council that had the technical know-how regarding running the University. As such, according to her, if Council had made a decision to raise Uni Fees, such decision was not to be interfered with. She, however, indicated that government was drafting a Bill to cater for loans to be given to all students to replace the current setup which was obviously abused and of course very targeted. In the meantime, she asked us to give her the names of those who had failed either fully or in part to pay for their fees so that as far as practicable, she could help through her Joyce Banda Foundation. When this information was communicated to the General Assembly at Chancellor College, one gentleman whose name it will take a lot to forget, stood up picked up the Mic and emotionally said that there was no way Chanco was going to be used as a political tool. This noble, very noble in fact, gentleman said that it was either the President was going to reduce the Fees for the self-sponsored students or nothing else, but NEVER The Joyce Banda Foundation option....well history has recorded that the nothing else happened. The Great Hall ululated. I didnt. I was sad, and lacked the energy to continue chairing the Assembly, but I had to. A few paragraphs from: MY YEAR IN THE STUDENTS UNION - Lessons, Regrets and Proud Moments. (Unpublished)
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 10:29:38 +0000
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