MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION ADVOCATES FOR ZERO-TOLERANCE TO MEDIOCRITY
By Michael Martin//MALAWI
In a bid to prioritize high standards in higher education, Honourable Dr. Jessie Kabwila, the Minister of Higher Education, has emphasized the need for zero-tolerance to mediocrity.
This declaration was made during a meeting with the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) on January 21, 2025, marking the beginning of her familiarization tour to higher education institutions and governing bodies.
Dr. Kabwila commended the NCHE for its outstanding work and urged the Council to uphold high-quality standards, protecting Malawians from substandard education.
She stressed that institutions of higher learning must adhere to rigorous standards, ensuring that “whatever we call university must indeed be University and nobody should be called or call themselves what they are not.”
The Minister highlighted that her Ministry’s primary objective is to provide high-quality education to Malawian citizens, with a zero-tolerance approach to mediocrity.
She assured the NCHE of its independence, free from political interference, and pledged her full support to the Council’s endeavors.
In response, Professor Eston Sambo, Chairperson of the NCHE Council, congratulated Dr. Kabwila on her appointment and commended the State President, Dr. Lazarus MacCarthy Chakwera, for appointing a dedicated Minister for higher education.
Sambo assured the Minister of NCHE’s commitment to upholding high-quality standards and requested the Ministry’s support in areas such as staffing levels and financial support.
The meeting was attended by notable figures, including Secretary for Education Assoc. Prof. Mangani Chilala Katundu, Director of Higher Education Dr. Levis Eneya, NCHE Council members, NCHE CEO Dr. Ambumulire Phiri, and the Management of the National Council for Higher Education.
As the Minister continues her familiarization tour, the emphasis on zero-tolerance to mediocrity in higher education is expected to remain a top priority.
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