In a bid to improve the quality of education in country, the Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA) has pledged to collaborate with Malawi Government in training teachers and caregivers, and offering capacity-building initiatives to independent school owners
Speaking during a training of caregivers for Early Childhood Development (ECD) Tuesday in Lilongwe, ISAMA President Bishop Wycliffe Chimwendo said the association aims to build capacity of teachers and administrators in independent schools across the country.
Chimwendo revealed that the association has managed to train over 1,320 unqualified teachers.
“We are excited to announce that we have successfully trained over 1,320 previously unqualified teachers, making them now qualified to teachers,” said Chimwendo.
He further revealed plans to expand the training program in December this year by collaborating with two public teacher training colleges, Nalikule in the central region and Domasi in the southern region which he said will offer full degrees to the teachers.
“These colleges will offer full degree programs in various subjects and University Certification of Education, which will boost the number of qualified teachers specifically for private schools,” he added.
In her remarks, Mtisunge Mwafulirwa, a facilitator from the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, mentioned the significance of the training for caregivers.
“We are confident that we have equipped these caregivers with the necessary knowledge and skills to help children grow in different domains, including social, spiritual, intellectual, and physical,” said Mwafulirwa.
One of the participants of the training, James Chimbalanga from Kasimba Early Childhood Development Center in Area 36, Lilongwe, expressed his readiness to apply the skills he acquired.
“I am ready to implement the knowledge and skills I have gained to better the lives of the children under my care,” he said.
About the Author
Martin Mbewe is a journalist and Development Communications Specialist. He is a Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) RLC-SA alumnus and currently works as a Communications and Programmes Coordinator at Tingathe Malawi. With experience in development communication and writing stories for print, radio, TV, and online media, Martin is passionate about change and writing on topical issues concerning Malawians and beyond. Previously, he worked as a current affairs reporter at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and held communication roles with Cure International and the Ministry of Agriculture's Communications Branch. Martin believes in the power of effective communication to drive positive change and improve the lives of individuals and communities, especially those facing social and economic challenges.