The government of Tanzania has directed schools and teachers in the country to use a map that shows the border of Lake Malawi running through the middle of the lake.
The memo to the Ministry of Education in that country comes at a time when there is a standoff between Malawi and Tanzania regarding the border of the lake.
Malawi lays ownership on the entire lake while Tanzania claims half of it is within its territory.
In a memo dated December 16, 2024, Commissioner of Education Lyabwene Mtahabwa has cautioned against the use of google maps.
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He alleges that those maps have been altered to show that Tanzania’s boundary does not include the waters of Lake Malawi.
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The ministry’s directions followed a letter from the country’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa dated November 26, 2024, concerning the Lake Malawi border dispute and measures taken by Malawi to legitimise ownership of Lake Malawi.
In light of the ongoing border dispute between Tanzania and Malawi, the ministry says it is possible that this dispute could impact education in Tanzania.
“Currently, Malawi is teaching their students these map changes in both primary and secondary education; and with the growth of education and the use of technology (ICT), there is a significant possibility that Tanzanian students using the internet may unknowingly or knowingly use maps that are incorrect due to these changes.
“Likewise, teachers may also unknowingly or knowingly teach using these inaccurate maps, causing students to believe they are accurate,” reads the memo.
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The ministry has therefore directed all teachers in non-governmental schools across the country to teach in accordance with the curriculum developed by the Tanzania Institute of Education (TET).
“Furthermore, teachers must use a Tanzanian map that shows the border of Lake Nyasa running through the middle of the lake and not starting at the lake’s edge, as taught by Malawi. Ensure that all students are taught this way and do not use the erroneous “Google” map,” reads the memo.
Government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu said Malawi would use laid down channels to comment on the matter.
“The issue of the lake has been a topic for some time. We will not comment on the matter now. We will continue using the appropriate channels of addressing any matters relating to this issue. Governments have clearly established channels of communication,” he said.
The wrangle over Lake Malawi between Lilongwe and Dodoma heightened in 2011 when Malawi awarded exploration licences to UK-based Surestream Petroleum to search for oil in the disputed northern area.
Ever since there have been mediation talks between the two countries being mediated by retired Heads of State in the Southern Africa Development Community.
