By Isaac Salima:
Some students who were withdrawn from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) have written to President Lazarus Chakwera, seeking his intervention regarding their dismissal from the institution.
It is reported that around 76 students were withdrawn from the university between 2017 and 2022 for reasons including alleged poor academic performance.
Of these, 36 students have appealed to the President, alleging injustices.
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In a letter signed by the students’ leader, Only Mopiha, and their general secretary, Mathews Alfred, the dismissed students accuse some faculty members of what they describe as systematic academic withdrawal and bullying.
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Regarding academic withdrawal, the students claim they were dismissed after the university introduced new fundamental examination rules and regulations without informing them.
They say this led to their failure to meet the required grades.
“Kuhes had been conducting curriculum reviews every two years in accordance with the National Council for Higher Education [Nche]. The 2011 Nche Act stipulates that a curriculum cycle is mandatory.
“New programmes were introduced and implemented without the students’ or the Students Council’s knowledge. Consequently, the students were withdrawn due to a curriculum they were not enrolled in,” the letter reads.
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It adds that attempts to petition Parliament on the matter have been unsuccessful.
The students have also expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that, although a taskforce was established to investigate the issue, its findings were submitted to the Kuhes Council.
They fear the findings may be tampered with.
“We were assured that the victims, who also testified during the investigation, would be updated and that the taskforce report would be released within 30 days. It has now been 90 days and the report is still not ready,” the letter adds.
Presidential Press Secretary Anthony Kasunda requested time to enquire about the matter.
On the other hand, Kuhes Registrar Christopher Namagowa said the university is awaiting the appointment of a new council to address the issue.
“Please note that the Kuhes Council created a taskforce to investigate the allegations of bullying and systematic withdrawals. The taskforce completed its assignment shortly before the end of the council’s tenure, so presently, it is an agenda item for the council.
“This is a committee of the council and since the council’s tenure ended, the matter is awaiting the appointment of the new council,” Namagowa said.
Education rights advocate Benedicto Kondowe expressed concern over the issue, describing the students’ allegations as serious and troubling.
Kondowe said academic institutions need to foster a supportive and fair learning environment instead of making life difficult for students.
He stressed that any form of bullying or unjust academic withdrawal undermines this essential principle.
Kondowe added that, in light of the allegations and the students’ petition to Chakwera, who also happens to be the university’s chancellor, an independent investigation should be conducted to examine the claims.
“The integrity of our academic institutions depends on their ability to handle such issues fairly and justly,” Kondowe said.
Previously, some of the withdrawn students sought the intervention of other institutions, including the Judiciary, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ministry of Education.
Some cases are still pending.
Earlier this year, Kuhes launched the investigation after the Platform for Investigative Journalism reported that some lecturers bullied students and manipulated examination results, leading to their withdrawal on academic grounds.
Members of the taskforce included officials from the Kuhes Council, the Medical Council of Malawi, the Medical Doctors Association of Malawi, the Malawi Human Rights Commission and the Malawi Health Equity Network.
