Malawi selfless teacher who single–handedly manages seven classes 

Teacher – pupil ratio is one of the challenges the education is currently grappling with in the country.

Teacher Kamphira: Selfless man working hard
Some of the learners at Chigumula primary school

The recommended teacher – pupil ratio is 1:60, however, this seems to be unrealistic on the basis that some teachers have no option but to manage more than 200 learners in a single class.

Mark Kamphira, 35, is a classic example of volunteer teacher at Chiguma Primary School in Blantyre. He is the headmaster and the only available teacher at the school which has over 315 learners with classes from Standard 1 – 7.

This development means, therefore, that Kamphira, apart from the imbalance teacher – pupil ratio which is already beyond the recommended minimum standard, has a huge task of managing all the seven classes alone, five days a week.

It is undisputable that Kamphira works beyond the dictates of hard work. His daily routine on how he juggles around the seven classes attest to the fact that he puts much effort to his work despite being unqualified.

Dedication best describes Kamphira’s personality in his pursuit to making sure the children from the farthest end of Blantyre District acquire the basic literacy and numeracy skills.

“I spend the rest of my day at the school. I seriously don’t have the luxury of free time. My only time to break is when I am shifting from one class to another but not necessary sitting down to enjoy a cool breeze,” he told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in interview.

Originating from Zing’ando Village in the area of Traditional Authority Makhuwira in Chikwawa, Kamphira started the thankless teaching job in 2014 having been approached by the community to assist children in the area who could not endure walking a 10 kilometre distance to the nearest primary schools.

Kamphira said he already had passion for teaching and that he was motivated by the fact that it is father’s original home area as such didn’t want to allow his ‘brothers and sisters’ fail to access education because of the absence of a teacher.

“Although I knew that this would be a huge task on me, I chose to sacrifice my happiness and time just to bail out children from this area whose majority dropped out of school due to long distances to the nearest school,” the head teacher explained.

In the morning, Kamphira divides his time meticulously. For example, he starts by teaching Standard one and two classes which he says are crucial in as far as education is concerned in view of the fact that they were the foundation for all levels in the education cycle.

Later in the day, he moves into other higher classes and ensures that on daily basis, he has taught all the seven subjects in all the upper classes without compromising on quality.

“Mathematics, English, Chichewa, Life Skills, Social Studies, Science and Agriculture are the subjects that I concentrate much on. I always make sure that I teach all the classes the seven key subjects,” he narrates.

Quite contrary to how other learning institutions were established, Chiguma Primary School came into being through efforts by communities of Senior Chief Kunthembwe in 1998 as one way of reducing the distance that pupils in the area were traveling to access primary education.

Since then, the institution has experienced massive resignation of volunteer teachers which lead to it’s on and off status for quite some considerable time now. This has been the trend largely because volunteer teachers couldn’t bear with the peanuts they received from the few poor, yet willing parents.

Since the time Kamphira set out on a mission to Chiguma Primary School which was then operating from church structures, there hasn’t been any break ups. It has always been up and running, courtesy of his dedication and personal commitment to improve the education standards in the community in addition to brightening the future of young ones in the area.

“I don’t care about my future and life in general. All I want is to use the little education acquired to change my community and of course polish the future of the little ones in this village,” he added.

Much as Kamphira may have all the passion to uplift the education standards of his kindred, he also has some sad tales to share. He says sometimes he has to dig deeper in his pockets to mobilize teaching materials since the school does not have funds for buying such items.

As if that was not enough, it has also proved increasingly difficult for the community which hired him to honour their pledges of paying him the K15, 750 monthly honoraria raised through contributions.

Kamphira laments that sometimes he has to endure two months without any payment a development that is affecting his performance, particularly on how to balance work and survival.

However, despite all the struggles, Kamphira, ever driven by the spirit to sharpen the future of his community remains steadfast. Every bright new day brings renewed energy since he has the welfare of the children at heart.

“We agreed that every parent would be contributing K50, 00 per month but very few fulfill their promises. Sometimes when I try to remind some members of the community who have not yet paid, they get angry with me threatening to beat me up,” he disclosed adding that, “But because I love my job and the children, I keep on doing my work and such has been life.”

In this regard, Kamphira attempted to reach out to the district education authorities in Blantyre through the school committee for a hand, a development which proved to be a non-starter on the basis that the school was not yet recognized by government.

District Education Manager (DEM) for Blantyre Rural responsible for primary education, Paul Chiphanda admits that his office was aware of the presence of a single teacher at the school and the attendant challenges the institution was facing.

He pointed out that it was difficult for the ministry to act on the needs of the school as it was not yet handed over to government.

The DEM adds that the community in the area together with management of Majete Wildlife Reserve were responsible for the affairs of the institution as a result government could not be involved with something it does not own or indeed recognize.

“The issue of a single teacher at the school was brought to the attention of my office but we could not make a decision as it was not yet given to us to start managing it,” Chiphanda assured.

Despite the school not being registered, the district education manager salutes Kamphira for his determination and hardworking spirit, promising to secure him a place in one of the Teachers Training Colleges (TTC) so that he could advance his career.

Chiphanda observed that sending Kamphira to a TTC would be the only permanent reward he could get saying: “Very few teachers in the country could religiously love their job in the manner Kamphira has demonstrated.”

“This is extraordinary, to say the least. I am equally concerned with how he has been managing all the classes for the past three years, alone. I have a background of teaching, therefore, I know what it is all about to manage such a big school,” he noted.

The DEM explained that, “I have promised him that I will be waiting for his application letter and the moment it lands on my desk, I will process it immediately so that he goes to a TTC. This is the caliber of people we need in the education sector.”

He added, “On the issue of payment, I will try to lobby with the community to honour their pledges in addition to approaching some well – wishers to help.”

In the same connection, Craig Hay, Park Manager for Majete Wildlife Reserve which is under African Parks says the organisation’s focus was on the construction of a classroom block for learners who were using a small and dilapidated church structure, adding that the issue of Kamphira was being taken care of by the community.

“We were approached to help with the school block and because we were equally concerned with the environment in which the pupils were learning, we decided to assist by constructing a two classroom block. As I speak, we have already handed over the block to government,” he disclosed.

Hay expressed concerns about the conditions in which Kamphira was operating, urging government which has taken over the functions of the school to bail out the teacher by deploying more qualified teachers.

“Education is the only precious gift we can give to our children. Therefore, it is time for us to build a strong foundation for our children. May I appeal to government of Malawi to assist the school by providing additional teachers, teaching and learning materials,”he urges.

Chairperson for Chiguma School Management Committee, only known by the name Moses hailed Kamphira for defying the odds. Moses said the community has benefited immensely from the lone teacher.

“Our children are now able to read and write, all because of Kamphira. We are very grateful to him,”hes acknowledges.

On erratic and delayed payout of wages, the school committee chair confesses that some parents were truant and not willing to remain faithful to their promises.

Moses promises that the committee would discuss the matter fully to come up with a long term solution.

“It is just unfortunate that Kamphira has been subjected to such situations otherwise he was not supposed to be treated like that for all the good work he is doing,” he  emphasized.

In their remarks in separate interviews with Mana, Senior Chief Kunthembwe and Councillor for Chikowa Ward, Damiano Valaliyano in whose jurisdiction and ward respectively the school is located exalt Kamphira for his selfless spirit and promised to do the needful.

Coincidentally, Valaliyano who is also the chairperson of education service committee at the Blantyre District Council argues that some of the factors contributing to low standards of education in the country include shortage of teachers, inadequate teaching and learning materials besides unavailability of infrastructure.

He pledged that apart from rendering his own personal support, would mobilize the concerned community to consider Kamphira’s plight in view of the important work of imparting knowledge to children in the area.

“While we wait for government to come in and assist, we will still, in the interim, organize ourselves and ensure that we offer full support to the teacher,” Valaliyano assured, a view also shared by Chief Kunthembwe.

Executive Director for Civil Society Coalition for Quality Basic Education (CSCQBE), Benedicto Kondowe while acknowledging the good work that Kamphira was doing says the situation only underscores the fact that there were a number of hurdles to surmount in pursuit of attaining quality education in the country.

He pointed out that it was unrealistic for a single teacher to manage a school with seven classes and still expect good performance from the learners.

“That is one of the issues that the education sector is grappling with – we have visited schools in Chikwawa and Mchinji districts where three if not two teachers at worst are managing a full primary school,” Kondowe said.

“In actual sense, we are not providing quality education but rather creating environments where children just go and play. Frankly speaking, the right to education in schools like the one in Blantyre is being violated,” the Executive Director added.

Kondowe stated: “May I peal to government to consider sending teachers to this and many other schools in the country which do not have enough teachers. In the case of Chiguma where a volunteer is handling seven classes, an immediate action must be taken by government.”

He registered appreciation of the efforts that Kamphira was making, asking the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to devise a way of rewarding the industrious and volunteer extraordinaire.

“I can imagine that this teacher works like a computer. How does he prepare schemes of work? He really needs to be rewarded in one way or the other,” Kondowe suggested.

Sometime in October this year, Majete Wildlife Reserve handed over Chiguma School to the Ministry of Education and to communities of Senior Chief Kunthembwe in particular.

The development means the number of primary schools in Blantyre Rural has reached 160.

Malawi is a signatory to the Dakar, Senegal’s framework on the goals for education for all which among others strive for early childhood education, free and compulsory primary education.

More often than not, however, such efforts face obstacles ranging from shortage of qualified teachers, learning and teaching materials, poor school infrastructure.

But for now, Kamphira does not falter on his mission but continue with his teaching exploits and promises to write the DEM to consider advancing his teaching capabilities.

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Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
6 years ago

Really? The school was not yet recognized by government? And District Education Manager for Blantyre Rural has the audacity of pointing out that it is difficult for the ministry to act on the needs of the school as it was not yet handed over to government. No. That’s a lame excuse. Bureaucracy is at play. Why cannot the District Education Manager and the Ministry swiftly regularize the matter in order that the school is recognized. The dedicated teacher has done his part. Who is the Member of Parliament where this school is located? What has he done with CDF he… Read more »

Adzonzi
Adzonzi
6 years ago

This is news worth publishing not these others though they attract lots of comments. Keep it up!!! True Patriot!

Billy Chilewani
Billy Chilewani
6 years ago

Please honour him by sending him to a formal College and pay for his fees and upkeep for the period he will be there. He is a rare kind of breed of our generation. Keep it up Mr Kamphira.

Good neba
Good neba
6 years ago

contact the author Solister Mogha,,, at Malawi news agency……or any information office….he may help…

Yobe Kayamaka
Yobe Kayamaka
6 years ago

Please provide contacts for this selfless great man, please please nyasatimes

mjomba
mjomba
6 years ago

Problem ndi Mr kondowe, akudziwa kutin palibe angapezko pomuthandiza munthuyo and the community at large other than kumapita ku Karibu acadamy komwe akabweleko ndi chikwama.

opportunist
opportunist
6 years ago

He deserves a reward. Can someone provide me with his contact so that I can do something

Good neba
Good neba
6 years ago
Reply to  opportunist

contact the writer,,,at Malawi news agency or ask for him at any information office

Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
6 years ago
Reply to  Good neba

Regional Information Office, P/Bag 28, Blantyre, 01 821 933 or 01 836 183, fax 01 824 071. MANA/News Room: 01 834 618. Fax 01 836 183. This is according to information in the MLT Directory 2014 – 2015. Let us hope ground lines are in working order.

Mwitiwa
Mwitiwa
6 years ago

Rare breed in our generation…

Wankulu
Wankulu
6 years ago

This is a great story. Could you please provide contact details for this man? I want to help.

Good neba
Good neba
6 years ago
Reply to  Wankulu

contacts the author,,,,solister Mogha at malawi news agency or any information office… he may help

Chadwick Nyanga
Chadwick Nyanga
6 years ago

Rare breed, True patriot, God bless him abundantly.

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