Education Minister Bright Msaka says government will recruit 1,100 secondary school teachers this year to help address the shortage of teachers and overcrowding in classrooms.
Msaka said the 1,100 teachers will be selected from more than 11,000 people who applied for the positions.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Monday during the commemoration of World Teachers’ Day, Msaka said the new teachers are expected to start work between October and December.
He said government is aware of challenges facing teachers, including salaries, promotions, housing and heavy workloads.
“Teachers are at the heart of Malawi’s human capital development,” Msaka said.
Msaka said government will also continue supporting professional development and training for teachers to help them meet the changing demands of the profession.
He further called on communities, former students, organisations and other stakeholders to support teachers and the teaching profession.
His remarks come as President Peter Mutharika marks one year since returning to State House.
In an interview with the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Mutharika praised the education sector and listed free secondary education among the achievements of his administration.
He also cited food security, road rehabilitation, economic recovery and debt restructuring among the government’s achievements during its first year in office.
“I am proud of what we are doing, what we have achieved so far, and I expect that the momentum will continue,” Mutharika said.
This year’s World Teachers’ Day is being commemorated under the theme: “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the teaching profession, raising its status and shaping our future.”
Leave a Reply