initiatives
The Parliamentary Committee on Education Monday prompted the whole House to discuss challenges besetting the education sector.
This happened after the committee presented a report to Parliament after its members conducted field visits to some primary and secondary schools.
The report cited inadequate classrooms, desks, textbooks, high school dropouts rates in primary schools and unmotivated teachers as some of the challenges affecting the education sector.
“The committee found that there was a shortage of teachers in both primary and secondary schools. The learner-teacher ratio was too high;
“Teachers lamented that there were no initiatives for their motivation at the schools as most of them had remained at the same grade for a long time,” committee vice chairperson Bertha Ndebele told Parliament.
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She cited Chiputula Primary School in Mzuzu where, she said, a teacher has worked for 29 years without promotion.
Mangochi Central legislator Victoria Kingston also said her constituency has a teacher who has worked for 27 years without promotion.
“The government must do something about this,” she said.
Thyolo Central parliamentarian Ben Phiri echoed sentiments that the country is not doing well in education, including on learner-teacher ratio— which stands at above 100 in some schools, instead of the recommended 60 to 1.
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“Most of the schools have above-100 learners in one classroom, which puts pressure on teachers.
“If we really want to improve our education standards, one of the key things we have to look at is the population. It is either we invest and build more classroom blocks [or we give up],” he said.
Among other recommendations, the committee wants school improvement grants to be increased from K600,000 to K2 million in schools with enrollment of up to 1,000.
The committee was also concerned with the high dropout rate among learners in primary schools due to factors such as child marriage and teenage pregnancies.
It has, therefore, advised them to report child marriage cases to the district welfare offices.
Meanwhile, Education Deputy Minister Nancy Chaola Mdoko has said the ministry will prepare a report within 14 days and respond to the issues raised.
Parliament continues meeting today, with more committee reports to be deliberated on.
