By Suleman Chitera

Government has defended the recent increase in tuition fees at public universities, saying the adjustment has been necessitated by the rising cost of training students and growing financial pressure on institutions.

The explanation was given on Tuesday in Lilongwe during a meeting between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and representatives of public university students.

The engagement followed concerns from students over the new fees, with student leaders arguing that the increase will place additional financial pressure on students and their families.

University of Malawi Director of Finance and Investments, Enock Njiwa, told the meeting that the cost of training students has increased significantly in recent years.Police Nabs 2 For Embezzling Examination Fees

According to Njiwa, the cost of training one student across public universities reached between K9.8 million and K12.4 million in 2025, far above the tuition fees being paid by students.

As a result, tuition fees for most public universities have been increased from K650,000 to K1.3 million.

Njiwa said the adjustment should be viewed against the broader financial challenges facing public universities, which are required to meet rising costs associated with providing higher education.

The meeting also focused on government support for students through the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB).

The board said its allocation has increased substantially, from K12 billion in the 2022/23 financial year to K42 billion in 2026/27.

However, the board said the amount remains below the estimated K62.45 billion required to adequately meet student financing needs.

The funding gap has raised further concerns about how students from financially disadvantaged families will cope with the increased tuition feesCDEDI slams government’s decision to raise toll gate fees.

Student representatives maintained that although government has explained the financial pressures facing universities, the fee increase is still a major burden.

University of Malawi Students’ Representative Council (SRC) President Yatuta Edwell Mulungu urged government to reconsider the increase and increase student upkeep allowances to cushion students from the rising cost of living.

Mulungu said students are already facing financial challenges, making the higher tuition fees an additional burden for many families.

The students’ concerns highlight a wider challenge facing Malawi’s public higher education sector: how to balance the actual cost of providing university education with the ability of students and their families to pay.

Government’s engagement with student representatives is therefore likely to remain important as authorities seek to address university financing challenges while ensuring that higher education remains accessible to students from different socio-economic backgrounds.MultiChoice Malawi raises subscription fees again: Customers to feel the pinch

The latest fee increase has triggered renewed debate over the sustainability of public university financing, student welfare and the role of government in ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent deserving students from accessing higher education.