Mangochi parents demand equitable distribution of teaching, learning materials
Parents and guardians of pupils learning at Mama Khadija Girls Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Jalasi in Mangochi have complained that the District’s Education Manager’s (DEM) Office is failing to provide teaching and learning materials at the school due to issues surrounding on school uniform.
Mama Khadija Girls Primary school is a public institution and was established in 2010 after communities around the school asked DEM office to consider them opening the school to help reduce congestion at Masongola 2 Primary School and the surrounding schools.
And the school is using the structures of Al-Barakah Charity Trust, a Muslim charity Trust which has different programmes in Malawi among them being a string of schools.
Speaking during the interface meeting organized by the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust recently at Masongola Teacher Development Centre (TDC) in the area, School Management Committee Secretary, Robert Mtwiche said the school had been sidelined for a long time and it has adversely affected learners such that even a standard five pupil cannot know how to read and write.
He felt the school is being sidelined because pupils some are Muslims and that they do wear hijab (clothes Muslim women wear)
“We feel the genesis of our trouble here boarders on school uniform. But we wonder because the uniform these pupils are wearing were chosen by the parents during Parents and Teachers Association Meeting (P.T.A) and the same went to DEM’s office for approval as per requirement and it received their blessing, but here we are being denied the resources,” worried Mtwiche.
“Let me tell you that this issue is an outstanding one .It is the one of the issues that forced communities to chase away Chauluka Muwake (one of the Primary Education Advisor for the area) .He (Muwake) couldbe withholding teaching and learning materials, accusing communities around this area were failing to comply with government’s policy on school uniform.
“But if you could check the policy it is not clea because it is saying pupils should not be forced to wear any form of uniform but should be advised to put on simple and neat clothing. So why punishing us in this way?” he wondered.
Mangochi NICE District Civic Education Officer, Turner Banda urged the people to meet the District Commissioner, so that the compromise should arrive and that the school should enjoy the support just like other government schools.
No sane teacher should teach at this school. Instead of being ashamed of themselves, they pride themselves of having chased Muwake cos of the same school. What is special about the community around this school. NO teacher should be posted there. let them find their own teachers. Even the name of the school does show that it is not a public/school. No. 12 You are a lier. You need to some Sociology
It must be made clear here,the fact that,Islam was already in exsitance back in 1505 long before the expedition of the first European explore Dr.David Livingstone to set his foot in this country. So,when you make some coments,you may excersise a spirit of coexistance as we live in the diversty community. Muslims being the bonafides of this Republic of Nyasaland(changed to Malawi as it was named after the word of Yao dilect”Nyasa”)therefore,Muslims with their religion of Islam,is here to stay forever. The Government of Malawi,should not mistreat Muslims for their belief as what we are witnessing in this case of… Read more »
These ndiova, they force non muslim members at this school to put on hijab, l hv afriend who z a teacher at this xool but she z forced to put on hijab, and this muslim xool not gvmnt one
That friend of you and yourself are all liers.There is no teacher who is forced to put on Hijjab at Mama Khadija.Just go there and see for yourself.You are just used to tell lies.Be ashamed.
Both the DEM & the Namwera community never went wrong in this process. The policy gives mandate to the community that hosts a school to decide colour & design of school unoform. Consultation was again a good move to seek for Govt’s advice. The DEM’s approval was a good move too becoz uniform doesn’t compromise pupil’s learning, that’s why it is not compulsory. What is worrying here now is that the Govt is now making a U turn after many years the uniform has bin in use. Let us learn to promote co-existency in this country. Moslems are too Malawians.… Read more »
How can a pupil be in standard 5 without knowing how to read,ithink you better close the school. Why clinging to the uniform that will not benift pupils. Is it a Mosque or School? These people. Eeeish!!!!!!!!!
Really?
Tonde you are stupid. Am a Christian yes but don’t just accuse people because you hate their religion. What suicide bombing are you talking about. Galu wonukha usanafe iwe.
First we should appreciate the Charity for accommodating a gvt free primary sch, however there must be a difference of uniform between muslim sch and gvt sch in a sence that muslim sch is by force that every girl should put on hinjab while gvt sch uses universal standard dressing. Do you want to tell the nation that non muslim girls are also forced to put on hinjab?
School dressing code and Learning materials to me are very different things. Make your query alittle clearer, it sounds abit vague.
Anthu ovuta awa mesa munamuthamangisa Muwake pano mukufunanso chani?pangaani zomwe mumazitha zija,inu munaamuwonongera katundu Muwake aanthu odana ndi chitukuko
CommenttTonde u are so stupid the issue here is not muslim people who decided school uniform for our children but ourselves as a parents. I know some of u have negative atitude with Islam even those on goverment but to us is just a request as a malawians who contribute the development of this country and pays tax why negelecting us. We want the goverment to look into this issue seriously.