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Malawi Approves 100 Percent Rise in Public University Tuition Fees as Short-Term Fix for Funding Shortfall
The government approved an immediate doubling of fees at the country's five public universities to address a financial crisis in higher education. Education Secretary Dr Ken Ndala said the ministry selected the increase after universities requested urgent funding relief.
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Malawi's five public universities doubled tuition fees after the government approved a 100 percent increase as an emergency measure to address a financial crisis in the higher education sector, AllAfrica reported. The Secretary for Education, Dr Ken Ndala, confirmed that the universities submitted formal requests to the Ministry of Education citing inadequate funding and mounting operational challenges.
Three options were considered: full economic cost-recovery fees, a 60 percent cost-recovery model, or an immediate 100 percent increase on current fees.
The ministry chose the third option as the most practical short-term solution. Ndala stated that the government remains committed to ensuring that no deserving student is denied access to higher education due to financial constraints. Education expert Wesley Mwabakulu welcomed the assurance but said words alone were not enough and urged the government to improve student loan disbursement systems.
The fee hike has raised concern among students and parents already struggling with the rising cost of living, AllAfrica reported, and will increase pressure on the government's student loans programme to expand its reach.
