Malawi government hits back at Bishop Mtumbuka on education concerns

Government has hit back at the fiery Catholic Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese on education matters, accusing the Ministry of Education for doing little in assisting Church run schools in the country.

Saidi: Ministry has been made aware of the remarks made by Mtumbuka.

Mtumbuka unleashed a number concerns on Saturday at the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations at Ludzi Girls Secondary School.

Thd Catholic Bishop also faulted the government for delaying in issuing work permit for some of the officials from abroad coming to work at basic and tertiary Christian schools.

Mtumbuka accused the government of unilaterally abolishing tuition fees in secondary schools, saying this would affect negatively education standards.

In a statement made available to Nyasa Times,  the Ministry of Eduation, Science and Technology says apart from payment of salaries and support staff at Ludzi Secondary School, the government also buys teaching and learning materials and other interventions.

“And there are clear channels of engagement between the ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Catholic secretariat in the management of the partnership,” says the press release.

The ministry says the government will therefore remain engaged with the Catholic secretariat to understand and resolve any areas of concern and misunderstanding.

The government abolished tuition fees in all public secondary schools and church run schools with special arrangement with the governmentton.

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tman
5 years ago

A nsembe kodi mukufuna chani? kamba mwana wanu afuna akhale VP wa Chilima,stop the nonsense concentrate on the word of god

Trueth
5 years ago

Some times i dont understand when some churches claim to own schools yet what they have at the school is only a church and may be sometime back they started the school but failled to give it proper structure.now government or NGOs came and constructed the structures with the help of the community surrounding the school regardless of their religious affiliation.ontop of that government takes responsibility of sending teachers and other necessities to the school .not only that but also parents are asked to pay what they call development fund.MY QUESTION IS WHAT PART DOES THE CHURCH TAKE IN RUNNING… Read more »

Paguza
Paguza
5 years ago

So Bishop Mtumbuka wants school fees reinstated. REALLY. Why are Catholic Bishops so intrusive and pompous?

50 1
50 1
5 years ago

Justin Saidi please know that Mtumbuka is the chairperson of the Education Commission . In short, he is the overseer of all catholic education establishments in Malawi so he is telling you the challenges and you want to appear clever. Listen and say that we have taken note.

chimanga Chaponda
5 years ago

The government has not addressed the issue of reducing fees in grant aided schools which the Bishop raised…. remove fees in government schools and not grant aided schools was the Bishp’s question. Stop misleading people. Yankhani funsoli.

Ruth
Ruth
5 years ago

The stupidity that is in our country is just amazing. Why would Bishop Mtumbuka and the Catholoc Church want parents to still be paying school fees?

Edson
Edson
5 years ago
Reply to  Ruth

It is amazing that we still believe government have abolished school fees when there are a lot of students back from school due to lack of school fees. You remove 1000 kwacha from the 10000 kwacha that is being paid, is it worthy saying school fees has been removed

Cheketa Njowe
5 years ago

Bishop Mtumbuka, iwedi ndi Mtumbuka zeleza, chindele chakufikapo eti? All your arguments are empty shows that you are dull and have nothing to communicate. Go back to your village and check if you will not find your own people failing to buy relish and all necessities. You expect these people to find school fees if they are failing to get food for their daily life? Chindele.

Kibaki
Kibaki
5 years ago
Reply to  Cheketa Njowe

kuyankha kopanda nzeru uku akulu

Mary Moyo
5 years ago
Reply to  Kibaki

Koma ndiye. Palinso zifukwa zomatukwanila apa?

Kaka
Kaka
5 years ago
Reply to  Cheketa Njowe

Cheketa, you’re spot on.

Agenda Setting Theory
Agenda Setting Theory
5 years ago
Reply to  Cheketa Njowe

People failing to buy relish but they can by beer. Why can’t we just make everything free for these people if we care for them. Hatred for other tribes will not help you. All the bishop was asking is that there was no proper consultation and he is not the only one who has that view.

observer
observer
5 years ago
Reply to  Cheketa Njowe

lets whatsapp you the speech and listen to it. H e did no say do not abolish fees. He said it should be extended to church schools so that instead of paying 40K- they can be paying 20k.

Adansonia
Adansonia
5 years ago

Govt has just responded and not hit back.

Timvane
Timvane
5 years ago

Please,it is true that our government makes some mistakes. But on the issue of work permit is doing well, These guys in their own countries are tough too. It is very hard even to get so called religious visa. Let us not waste our time on this issue. Malawians can teach. What special with these foreigners. I am sure that the bishop knows better during his time
in Ireland as a student.

Chilunga
Chilunga
5 years ago
Reply to  Timvane

kkkkkk. Timvane nkhani mwalembayi ndeyitiso? You need to see a doctor my brother. there is something wrong with you.

Fam
Fam
5 years ago
Reply to  Timvane

In addition, these people we call expatriates are rapists and janitors in their countries of origin. But when they come here we give them these jobs because they are our white gods. Zimandimvesa chitsoni kwambiri ndikamaona Malawians licking these white asses. In fact, I would encourage our country to clearly spell it out on what jobs should be or not be given to these foreigners.

6 July
6 July
5 years ago
Reply to  Fam

Are there no Malawians who are janitors in other countries.

Tabenetabene
Tabenetabene
5 years ago

Mutu ngati bombe m’dala iwe

Awize
Awize
5 years ago
Reply to  Tabenetabene

We need to be tougher on foreigners. Malawi soil is not for internationals. Is it easy for one to work in USA, France, Germany or Scotland? Bishop Mtumbuka, stop fooling Malawians, fisi adakana nsasi. Apa pokha boma silikulakwitsa bambo mfumu. Talk real issues anthu timve osati izizi. Ingowalimikitsani ma graduate anuwo kuti asadalire moyo wopempha, wauluere, asadalire kuti akalembedwa ntchito, osanena za ndale zoti sizimanga dziko la Malawi. I know PS Saidi, he is mature and sober minded- individual who leads the MoEST by great example. Apart from politics, he is very competent. We can’t have everything for free abale.… Read more »

6 July
6 July
5 years ago
Reply to  Awize

Qualified Malawian work in the countries you mentioned. That is why APM was a professor in many other countries for years. Goodall, Chaponda and others. There are many Malawians work abroad. Musachuluke nzeru. Most of these school you are talking about were not founded by “black missionaries”.

Charlie Hebdo
Charlie Hebdo
5 years ago
Reply to  Awize

But we are happy to allow Matchona who had it been that his brother was not president would not have stepped a foot in Malawi to steal from us while we grin from ear to ear.

mkhonde mwenecho
mkhonde mwenecho
5 years ago
Reply to  Awize

Malawi is the poorest country in Africa and being a landlocked country cannot sustain itself through the revenue which is being collected and misused by these filthy and selfish politicians, there must be a policy which has to guide the regulations and issuance of work permit for the investers to come and do their business,charitable organisation to offer their service to the target group, we should refrain from attacking people like Bishop when an issue has been raised that affects the entire people,the government of malawi should look into it critically and give the immediate response to solve this animal… Read more »

Liberator
Liberator
5 years ago

PS Justin Saidi is the worst of all the PSs since creation.Geneses1verse1ff..he has displayed gross and inexplicable poverty of managerial expertise..coupled with chronic bankrupsty of vision to solve problems in the education sector. He is chief architect of disaster.I appeal to you all civil servants to withdraw the little trust which you unconsciously invested in this man..and treat him as a stranger always. He is just used like a powerbank. Even the letter itself leaves alot to be desired.RIP Saidi.

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