Last night my
roommate was telling me about two students in her class who have been attacked
by thugs at Chitawira Bridge, on their way from campus where they were doing
class group discussions. This reminded me of the hardships that non-residential
students have to go through to get an education
From what I
have heard, the problem is in the rest of the University of Malawi (UNIMA). But I am going to focus on
The Malawi Polytechnic, one of the constituent colleges of UNIMA. The University I
go to. I am in my second year doing Journalism and I have stayed off campus
since first year due to lack of accommodation on campus
As much as
I appreciate the Late Bingu’s introduction of “selection based on classroom
space”, I am concerned with what this system has brought with it.
First of
all, finding a place to stay is tough! Especially if one does not stay around
Blantyre. I have to come at least three days before the opening day to start
looking for a house around areas like Chitawira, Chichiri, Njamba, and Mandala.
Non-Residential students have to pay higher rentals, walk long distances to the
campus, with no full access to the library, the living conditions at the
hostels are bad (overcrowding, unhygienic, no desks for studying and doing
school work) and there is no guaranteed security where we stay.
Many
students are being robbed of their laptops, phones, money and even stabbed
badly on their way to and from the school campus.
Compared to
those who stay on campus, we are at a great disadvantage. All these conditions
affect us in one way or another and sometimes contribute to poor performance in
class.
Government
needs to find ways of addressing these problems because for studies to progress
well, students need a conducive environment. Yes, the country is facing an economic crisis; however, if the
government cannot do it on its own, wouldn’t it be okay to partner with the private
sector? For example, there is a lot of space in the campus where extra hostels
can be built. Can investors not be willing to build good hostels there so that
they can make money off them? Then, we can be renting inside the campus and
therefore not be any different from our fellow students.
Government also ought
to prioritise education more than it is doing currently because there are many issues
that must be addressed for the better future of this country.
What is
your view on the matter…?
