DMI appeals Nche’s suspension

John the Baptist University has appealed against National Council for Higher Education (Nche)’s decision to temporarily close its Mangochi campus.

According to a letter which vice-chancellor for the college Jerin Leno has signed, Nche failed to take into consideration some ethical issues.

“The suspension of the programmes without due regard for continuing students raises serious ethical issues on part of Nche [when] Nche does provide relief on such matters,” Leno says.

According to the letter, the suspension has disregarded continuing students.

“DMI-St John the Baptist University— one of Malawi’s fastest growing private universities— asks Nche to rescind the decision because their decision had so many factual errors,” the letter reads.

It accuses the council of perpetuating unfair treatment in the way it handles accreditation matters.

Last week, Nche temporarily suspended the accreditation of the Diploma in Education and Bachelor of Education Degree programmes at DMI-St John the Baptist University’s Mangochi campus.

Nche acting Chief Executive Officer Ambumulire Phiri earlier indicated that the university failed to comply with Nche minimum standards in the areas of student admission, and conduct of teaching practice for students in the education programmes and other academic procedures hence the decision.

“The University Management was invited to respond to the findings of the inquiry report on 2nd February 2022 and it was validated that the university was, indeed, not being compliant with the Nche minimum Standards,” Phiri’s letter to the university reads.

Civil Society Education Coalition Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said standards in higher education institutions should not be compromised in the name of promoting access to education.

“Minimum points of entry into higher education institutions should not be compromised,” he said.