Chakwera Affirms Access to Education as Constitutional Right
The President expressed confidence in the graduating students, asserting that they had acquired the necessary skills to excel in their respective fields.
LILONGWE, Malawi — President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has underscored the constitutional and human right aspect of education, emphasising that no student should be deprived of the opportunity to complete their educational pursuits due to financial constraints, writes Vincent Gunde.
During the graduation ceremony of more than 2,400 outstanding individuals at the Lilongwe University of Natural Resources (LUANAR) on Thursday, President Chakwera lamented the obstacles students face in accessing loans through the Loans Board, which is established to assist those lacking the means to pay for their education in various academic institutions.
President Chakwera described this issue as a cause for concern and urged swift resolutions.
He also addressed the problem of student accommodation, highlighting it as a significant challenge faced by public universities.
To mitigate this challenge, Dr. Chakwera announced LUANAR's plans to construct hostels at its Natural Resources College (NRC) and Bunda Campuses, which will provide housing for over a thousand students.
The President expressed confidence in the graduating students, asserting that they had acquired the necessary skills to excel in their respective fields and contribute to Malawi's agricultural development and transformation.
"I have no doubt that you have each been furnished with the requisite skills to contribute to the agricultural development and transformation of Malawi," he affirmed.
President Chakwera appealed to the graduates to unite in their efforts to make Malawi a better nation, positioning themselves at the forefront of solving a range of challenges affecting the country's development.
These challenges encompass food security, environmental preservation, disease containment, combating locust invasions, promoting sustainable agricultural initiatives, and addressing climate change issues.
While acknowledging LUANAR as an agriculture-focused higher education institution, President Chakwera called for a shift from the current focus to foster more innovation and industrialization, marking level 5 of education.
He noted that LUANAR should expand its presence beyond its current locations, encompassing Bunda, Natural Resources College (NRC), City Campus, and ODel centers.
In support of this initiative, President Chakwera, serving as Chancellor, announced that the University Council would consider establishing additional sites or centers within the country to enhance the university's impact.
He emphasized that this expansion would bolster accessibility, relevance, cultural diversity, and collaborative opportunities, aligning LUANAR with evolving environments, economies, and climate influences.
Chakwera reiterated his commitment to advancing the accessibility and quality of education for all students in Malawi, addressing the constitutional and human rights dimensions of this critical issue.