Malawi govt reneges on linkage of Domasi College to Unima

The Malawi Government has taken a U-turn on linking Domasi College of Education to Chancellor College, a constituent college of the University of Malawi (Unima) in Zomba.

Minister of Education Science and Technology Luscious Kanyumba disclosed the news during a meeting with zonal teachers from the rural areas at Mayaka Parish Hall in the eastern region district of Zomba.

The meeting was held over the weekend with the aim of hearing out challenges the teachers face and also their welfare. The teachers highlighted several issues and dominant among them was about promotion as well as salary delays.

Kanyumba (R) makes a symbolic handover of the desks in Zomba.
Kanyumba (R) makes a symbolic handover of the desks in Zomba.

In response to these, Kanyumba said Domasi College will revert to its original status since Chancellor College where the previous regime [of late Dr Bingu wa Mutharika] linked it to, is facing challenges to accommodate it in its budget.

Located 20 kilometers away from Zomba City along Zomba-Liwonde Road, Domasi College of Education was previously offering upgrading courses to teachers.

“It was the previous government; of course I also served in it, which linked Domasi College of Education to the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College in Zomba. But we thought of allowing Chancellor College to expand its intake in the Faculty of Education rather than having it merged with Domasi College which is very far away from
Chanco campus.

“In addition, the University of Malawi faced challenges to accommodate Domasi College in its 2013/2014 budget. We are working on the necessary steps to make Domasi College an independent institution in the near future. We have development partners that have shown interest in supporting that Domasi College revert to its original business of upgrading courses for teachers,” he said.

The education minister also said his ministry has plans in the pipeline to decentralize preparation of teachers’ salaries to the level of education division across the country. He said this will speed up the process of teachers receiving their salaries on time.

On promotion of teachers Kanyumba said President Joyce Banda directed that about 13 000 teachers be promoted in the 2012/2013 financial year.

“At this moment, government has promoted a total of 16 000 teachers and will continue with the process in the next fiscal year,” he promised.

Some of the challenges the teachers raised were shortage of teaching and learning materials, and lack of teachers’ houses in most schools especially in the rural areas.

Later on, the minister presided over the handing over of desks to Ntondo Junior Primary School in Traditional Authority Malemia in the district courtesy of funds from the Local Development Fund (LDF).

Kanyumba with the desks
Kanyumba with the desks

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