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Blantyre Synod urges govt to consult stakeholders

 

Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) general secretary Reverend Alex Maulana has urged government to consult stakeholders in the education sector before implementing policies.

He said this on Saturday during the handover of Saint Andrews Mission Secondary School dormitories and dining hall in Mulanje built by Southminster of the Presbyterian Church of United States of America (USA).

Among other dignitaries, the event was attended by Minister of Education, Science and Technology Emmanuel Fabiano.

Fabiano (C) admiring the school’s infrastructure

“Given what we have done and we are doing, we hope your ministry will not continue excluding us from necessary consultation as has been the case for long. As a synod, we would love to provide constructive feedback in a way that is edifying and convenient.

“The synod understands the burden for financing higher education and, for this reason, we agree with government on the need for students to pay for high education. The synod, however, has noticed with great concern that at the moment there are most deserved students from ultra-poor families that cannot access loans.

“Therefore, synod asks government through your ministry to ensure that enough funds are made available so that students who are in colleges access them and avoid the current scenario where even the very needy are left out,” said Maulana.

In his remarks, Fabiano said he took note of the concerns, admitting that frequent university closures affect quality of education.

He said his ministry regards the church as a true partner in development. n

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