Party manifestos silent on quota system
Contrary to assertions made by presidential candidates that if elected they will abolish quota system of selecting students to public universities, there is no party manifesto that promises the same.
This has been noted by the Civil Society Education Coalition (Csec), which says presidential candidates’ talk about ending the system is ‘mere campaign gimmick’ because they have not expressed commitment on the issue by including it in their respective manifestos.
Csec executive director Benidicto Kondowe said in an interview candidates are lying to Malawians when they pledge to abolish the equitable access to university education, commonly called quota system.
“At rallies, almost every presidential candidate says they will abolish quota system but if you check their manifestos there is no mention of ending the system,” said Kondowe.
He said quota system has become a mere campaign tool for amassing votes.
The system was introduced by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) despite facing resistance from some sections of society.
Ironically, when addressing a rally at Mzimba Boma on Monday, Vice-President Khumbo Kachali advised people from the North to vote for DPP presidential candidate Peter Mutharika, saying he was the only aspirant who had shown interest to abolish the system.
