Frustration to new teachers stay away: ‘concerned teachers’ against act, call it destructive
Some teachers calling themselves “concerned teachers voice” say they are against the looming “second wave” of teachers stay away over Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) risk allowance.
The concerned teachers said this at a press conference they held Monday in the Capital, Lilongwe.
They have since urged fellow teachers across the country not to bow down to the wishes of their mother body–the Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM)–which is calling for the stay away.
However, TUM President Willie Malimba said he does “not know” concerned teachers voice, asking for more time to “investigate” the grouping.
TUM issued a statement last week calling for a “second wave” of teachers stay away if government does not honour an agreement with teachers over Covid-19 risk allowance by this coming Thursday.
Among other things, an agreement was reportedly reached that government would pay every teacher the equivalent of the amount of personal protective equipment (PPEs) each teacher was meant to receive in the larger national Covid-19 intervention program.
But the “concerned teachers voice” condemned the fresh call for teachers stay away, describing it as “destructive” and not a “priority” among teachers challenges in the country.
“We feel dialogue over this matter is the right solution. Otherwise teachers will have to continue with their normal duties. We already lost alot of time during the last stay away,” said Stafuel Chitukuta, chairperson of the grouping.
He added: “These stay aways are killing our children in public schools. It is our children who are being punished. And not government. We are saying no to the looming stay away. Teachers must shun it”.
Chitukuta further urged TUM to focus on what he called “long-term solutions” to problems affecting teachers in Malawi.
Among other things, he mentioned; promotion of teachers, salary adjustments and welfare of special needs teachers.
However, when contacted for his comment, TUM president Willie Malimba, who confirmed that the stay away is indeed on after Thursday, said he does “not know anything” about concerned teachers voice.
“Which concerned teachers are these? I need more time to find out about them. Otherwise the call for a fresh stay away is coming from the teachers themselves,” said Malimba.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Pure Greed. No wonder the country is producing very poor students with zero manners, how can these “teachers” teach anything else with this pathetic and unpatriotic behavior that they are displaying.
I say fire the lot! Let them reapply for their jobs if they wish.
DPP is playing a hide and seek game in this. The teachers have to get vaccinated basi. Whoever does not want a vaccine zake zimenezo. Do not hide behind Covid-19.
First, teachers should not be used by politicians. Second, teachers’ demand for covid allowances is a very foolish idea ever made by their mother body. Are you the only civil servants interacting with the general public? Every civil servant does not work in a vacuum. This myopic and tunnel visioned way of thinking must end forthwith or else every public officer (not just civil servants) should be entitled to the short-termed covid allowances. Third, that is the more reason why you should see your idiocy for demanding food just for a day instead of asking for long-term solutions to your… Read more »
Ur not their employer of ut the right to speak out even them has the right to demand from their boss
I second you… These teachers must not at all over our dead bodies get even a cent as covid allowance. I request TUM to focus on the general welfare of teacher(if which some are our wives&brothers) Your Excellency Sir,don’t bow down to teachers,if they want to sit in,don’t give them their salaries. Tum want to bring chaos in Malawi,it’s stupidity at it’s best. We got well educated people than you TUM execiluyives who are not working,watch out,better step down pave way to those who can listen to our mammoth voted Government.. No allowances or else each and every citizen&civil servant… Read more »
DPP tactics
concerned with whom??? Starting when??? How many times teachers akhala akulila.???? Mwadya cash uko za ziii
Let’s wait it’s always confusing everyone at all of you what u need is money
These are political mercenaries. To hell with their arguments