By Ellen Banda

Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) has called on government to put in place policies that will help to eliminate inequalities in education system in the country.

The call has come following this year’s Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) for 2021-2022 selection which among other things has portrayed sexism as only 19 percent of the 604 selected candidates are girls.

“It is distressing that Community Day Secondary Schools which constitutes 70percent of enrollment in secondary schools and being populated by poor and marginalized has only contributed 11percent to the selected number at the institution,” reads part of the statement.

The statement further said what happened threatens the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and National Education Sector Investment Plan-NESIP 2020-2030 of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all.

“Government should look into training and recruiting more female teachers in science subjects to act as role models to girl students.

“We are of the view that sexism, classism and elitism have no place in our education system,” the statement said.

Out of 604 selected students, 113 are females and 491 are males whereas 338 are from private/high schools while 266 are from public schools and out of 266, 66 are from CDSSs.