Malawi govt sets March 10 deadline to pay teachers’ arrears

Government has set March 10 as deadline for paying arrears and leave grants it owes teachers in the country, deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology Vincent Ghambi has told Nyasa Times.

Some teachers, however, have expressed pessimism over the assurance saying “the government is only good at promising.”

But Ghambi assured the March 10 deadline is date, adding that his ministry will also roll out a new system of paying teachers soon.

“We are working on a new system altogether. Teachers will now be paid through their respective zones,” said Ghambi.

The new system, according to Ghambi, will speed up the processing of teachers’ salaries which were allegedly being delayed due to hefty workload at Capital Hill.

“With the new system, the issue of delays, arrears and leave grants will be history,” said Ghambi.

Teachers have been holding protests in some districts across the country over arrears and leave grants.

Last week primary teachers in Salima downed their tools, threatening they would only resume work once they we