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| Features |
| Polytechnic turning 40 in dilapidation |
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by
Karl Msiska, 20 October 2005
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09:12:48
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What used to be spacious classrooms are now offices. What used to be a repository of reliable books is now but a warehouse of antiquated books, unfit to supply students with reliable information in this fast changing technological world. What used to be magnificent buildings, today stand immaculate on one side and water stained on the other.
Generally, what used to be a fabulous campus embellished with lights everywhere is now but a pitiful domain with battered workshops and hostels accompanied by lampless lampposts.
From the hostels to the classrooms to the library the situation at the Malawi Polytechnic, now 40, is dilapidated.
“I did not ever fathom that the Polytechnic is in this state,” says a first-year student who only identifies herself as Chiku.
“You see astonishing buildings from outside but the situation inside is pathetic. The classes are always crammed. You have to enter a classroom 15 minutes earlier if you want to get a place. You enter the library but you find books that were last borrowed in the 70s,” says Chiku, who believes this is the general nature of the college.
Any other student that is no older than two to three years at the college shares these feelings. But for those that joined the college four years ago or earlier, the situation is the dint of change and dilapidation.
“This was a classroom when I joined the college in 2001,” said Montfort Misunje, a finalist in the Department of Journalism and Media studies pointing at what are now the offices under his department.
“But look at it now, the room has become offices. This is the work of change. The college has been introducing some new programmes but there is no room to house these departments,” adds Misunje.
Since 2001, the college has introduced new programmes like the Bachelor of Information Technology (Bit), Bachelor of Information Systems (Bis), Mathematical Science and Education (MSE) and Bachelor of Architecture (Barc), among others.
All these need space. But because no such space exists, classrooms pave way for well-furnished offices, characteristic of today’s world of technology. Consequently, the student population, augmented by enrolment under the parallel programme, has to battle for learning space.
“The increasing student population has played a major part,” says Misunje. “Space is being reduced from all directions instead of being increased”.
The introduction of the parallel programmes was designed to supplement the receding funding to the institution. But contemplated results are not forthcoming. Consequently, everything is heading for the worst as there is no money to plough back into the college.
“My friend when you go to the toilets it is a matter of choosing the best from the worst. The situation is pathetic,” remarked one final-year student about the situation in the hostels, which are not only rodent-infested but also vulnerable due to broken doors that stand unrepaired.
Recently, the Polytechnic wing of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) described the sanitation situation at the campus as subservient.
“It is shocking to us to see the number of proper working facilities decreasing at the Polytechnic in the face of increasing student population,” reads a statement compiled after a study, which laid bare that only 34 percent of the toilets on campus are usable. The statement was addressed to the Principal and Registrar.
“The facilities we have were meant for the normal 1,200 students intake. But now the number has doubled with the mature/parallel programmes intake, and we are about 2,500,” adds the statement signed by chair Ernest Kanjiru, general secretary Sydney Paul and publicity secretary Salome Khundi.
At one of the recruitment seminars organised by final-year students in Lilongwe dean of education and media studies Gray Mang’anda provided the best description ever of the level of dilapidation in classrooms.
“If you entered a classroom at the Polytechnic, you should have seen how students skilfully turn drawer cases into seats,” said Mang’anda who is also chair of the college executive deans. “Our students have developed skills to operate in low resource areas, which is good for your organisations.”
However, students were left flabbergasted when the President and Chancellor of the University Bingu wa Mutharika only toured one workshop, the library and a classroom, during a recent visit to the college.
“I thought the President should have been taken to the hostels and the Annex,” remarked one student after Mutharika’s visit, reckoning “these are the areas that can best explain how worst the situation is on campus.”
Promises of refurbishment have been made, but attainment has been a problem. The President also promised something during his visit. In case the promise would not be executed, can someone contribute towards renovating the Poly as a 40th birthday benefaction.
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