LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Education Minister Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima has pledged support towards uplifting teachers welfare in hardest times as they celebrate their day.
Wirima emphasized the need to meet teachers’ welfare “By addressing their rights and responsibilities, improving their training, recruitment and conditions of service, and ensuring a work environment where they can thrive. Because when our teachers succeed, our nation succeeds”.
She made assurance on Friday, October 25, 2024 in the capital Lilongwe during this year’s commemoration of World Teachers Day (WTD) that falls on October 5 yearly.
Under the theme, “Valuing Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education”, the public reminded of the wisdom that states that “Tree grows from the roots” (Mtengo umera ku mizi'”.
“Our beloved teachers, you are the roots of our nation, selflessly nurturing the minds and hearts of our children. Without your dedication, voices and participation, Malawi’s future would lack the strong foundation we need to realise the Malawi 2063 vision.
“As Malawi joins the world in commemorating World Teachers’ Day this month, first proclaimed by UNESCO in 1994, we recognise you, our teachers, for the integral role you play in education, particularly in system strengthening”, observes Wirima.
She added, “It is a moment to recognise your remarkable strength and resilience as you continue to rise to the challenge, even when resources are limited and the road ahead if difficult.
“Malawi owes you, our teachers, a tremendous debt of gratitude. You are the driving force that will lift this country to new heights”.
The minister said further, “Today is also a time for reflection. We must ask ourselves how we, as a nation, can better support our teachers – by addressing their rights and responsibilities, improving their training, recruitment and conditions of service, and ensuring a work environment where they can thrive. Because when our teachers succeed, our nation succeeds”.
She assured, “Let me assure you that Malawi 2063 is not just a dream – it is within our reach. The Government is fully committed to making this vision of a self-reliant, industrialised, upper-middle-income nation a reality.
“This is not mere aspiration; it is being realised through concrete development efforts across the country. At the heart of this transformation are our teachers, who are shaping the skilled, knowledgeable workforce we need to drive progress in key areas such as agriculture, industrialisation, urbanisation, and human capital development”.
LAGOS-(MaraviPost)-The leading smartphone service provider Airtel Africa has commended teachers worldwide for great contribution to people’s education.
In his writing on today’s World Teachers Day commemoration, Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar says, the company deeply appreciate the pivotal role that teachers play in shaping our future.
“Today, on World Teachers’ Day, we come together to celebrate the invaluable contributions of teachers across the globe”.
This year’s theme, “The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse the Teacher Shortage,” emphasizes a challenge that is both critical and urgent ensuring every child has access to quality education guided by dedicated and empowered educators.
Taldar observes, “Teachers are the backbone of society, equipping our children with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to navigate an ever-changing world.
“Teachers are not just instructors; they are mentors, role models, and catalysts for innovation and change. Indeed, for effective learning to take place, there must be committed, trained, and motivated teachers in the value chain”.
The Power of Education Education is the cornerstone of societal growth and individual empowerment. It unlocks opportunities, breaks the cycle of poverty, and drives economic progress.
At the heart of this transformative power are teachers—dedicated professionals who inspire curiosity, nurture creativity, and instill confidence in the next generation.
However, teachers are often faced with daunting challenges, including resource constraints, large class sizes, and limited access to technology and training.
Despite these obstacles, they show resilience and commitment to their students, often going above and beyond their call of duty.
Airtel Africa’s Commitment to Education At Airtel Africa, we believe in the power of education to change lives, and we are committed to supporting teachers and students across the continent.
Through our initiatives, such as the “Airtel Africa Free Education” program in partnership with UNICEF, we are providing millions of children with access to free, quality digital learning content.
We understand that technology can be a great enabler in education, bridging gaps in access and enhancing the learning experience.
We are also proud to support teachers by providing digital tools and training that help them adapt to the evolving needs of 21st-century classrooms.
Our goal is to empower educators with the resources they need to deliver effective and engaging learning experiences.
Since the launch of the Airtel AfricaUNICEF partnership, we have trained over 15,000 teachers across Africa-and an additional 8500 will be trained in the 3rd year.
In general terms, we have so far connected 1900 schools to the internet and zero rated 28 websites connecting nearly a million children across 13 of our markets with access to digital education, once a luxury only affordable to the more privileged.
Empowering the Educators of Tomorrow Investing in teachers is not just about recognizing their hard work but about equipping them for the future.
We need to prioritize teacher training, professional development, and access to technology.
Byinvesting in our educators, we invest in our children’s futures and, ultimately, in the prosperity of our nations.
As stated above, we have invested significant resources in training and up-skilling teachers to make them better enable to discharge their responsibilities to their students.
Governments, private sector partners, and communities must work together to create supportive environments where teachers can thrive.
It’s imperative that we address the teacher shortage, enhance working conditions, and offer continuous professional development opportunities.
It’s imperative that teachers are purposively considered in planning and budgeting for education being a critical component of the ecosystem.
As the world continues to develop technologically, teachers must be empowered to cope with the emerging complexities and become future proof to deliver on their personal objectives and collective obligations to the students and their parents.
A Call to Action As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting teachers and ensuring they have the resources, respect, and recognition they deserve. Teachers are the architects of our future, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are equipped, empowered, and inspired.
On behalf of Airtel Africa, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all teachers for their dedication, passion, and tireless efforts. You are the heroes of education, and today, we honor you.
Let us continue to work together to create a world where every teacher feels valued, every student has access to quality education, and every community thrives through the power of learning.
We will continue to build on our commitment to supporting the various governments and institutions to improve the lives of teachers and indeed the standards of teaching and learning.
To our teachers, I thank you for all you do and wish you Happy World Teachers’ Day!
LILONGWE-(MANA)-As part of celebrations to mark World Teachers’ Day, Ministry of Education (MoE) will award best performing teachers from primary and secondary schools, as well as from teacher training colleges, to acknowledge their contribution to the education sector.
World Teachers’ Day is celebrated globally on October 5 each year, but Malawi will commemorate the day on October 18 at Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu.
Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima told journalists during a press briefing in Lilongwe on Tuesday that government is committed to motivate teachers through various initiatives such as the awards.
Kambauwa Wirima said if the country is to develop and align itself to the aspirations of the Malawi 2063, the nation needs to have educated people, hence teacher motivation is important for efficient and effective service delivery.
She, therefore, appealed to the community to join hands with government in acknowledging teachers’ contribution, saying such a gesture is not only government’s job but also the community’s.
“Everyone knows a teacher and each one of us has a teacher that stands out in his or her life. As part of a national acknowledgement and recognition for teachers, we are all called to celebrate outstanding teachers in our lives by stepping forward to thank teachers nearest to us with any kind of appreciation,” she said.
Steering Committee Co-chairperson for the event, Rose Kalizang’oma, said an agreed empirical method is used to select best teachers for national recognition, motivation and acknowledgement.
Two teachers each from primary and secondary schools from the 34 education districts and 18 teachers from the teacher training colleges will be awarded with a certificate and cash, among other things.
The event, which will be held under the theme ‘The teachers we need for the education we want’ will start with a march led by the Malawi Police Brass Band from Mzuzu High Court Roundabout to Grand Palace Hotel.
World Teachers’ Day was collaboratively established in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other partners in order to commemorate the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers.
There is no gainsaying the fact that teachers are crucial to the process of education. In appraising the nexus between teaching and learning, teachers rank highest in importance because they organically facilitate the most critical part of education.
Strictly speaking, the ecosystem, which comprises children, parents, teachers, government, writers, publishers, and now technology innovators, is brought to life by teachers.
They not only facilitate learning, but also provide guidance and inspire learners. Some teachers have been known to exert greater influence on children’s development than some parents.
They create a supportive environment within and outside the classroom for learning and development. At a personal level, I wonder where I would have been today without the caring and supportive intervention of my teachers, at various levels of my academic endeavour. Teachers are great mentors.
So, on this occasion of World Teachers Day, I remember and pay tribute to my teachers, and indeed all teachers in Africa and across the world, especially those who do great work for insufficient pay and, often, without acknowledgment and recognition.
There is a common saying that “Teachers’ reward is in heaven”.
This is an unfortunate statement, given that teachers, like other professionals, have responsibilities, including children who require shelter, food, clothing, healthcare, and other necessities of life.
So, teachers deserve to be rewarded, both here and hereafter. This tribute, therefore, is my little token of appreciation and recognition of the important role that teachers played in my life, and continue to, in the lives of current and future political and business leaders.
Indeed, as American historian, Henry Adams rightly stated, “A teacher affects eternity; he (she) can never tell where his (her) influence stops.”
I doubt that my primary school teacher, Mrs. Ala, could ever imagine that her effort in making me fall in love with mathematics would be the driving force for me to become a science student, an Electrical/Electronics Engineer, a Chartered Accountant, and the Chief Executive of a telecommunications company operating in 14 African countries.
Such is the span and strength of the influence of teachers. As beneficiaries of their patience, dedication and support, we must never take them for granted, much less forget their service to us.
Over the years, teaching and learning have undergone seismic changes in methodology particularly with the advent of modern technology.
This has completely transformed education, as we previously knew it.
Modern education has embraced digital technology, which features the internet, data-enabled devices, and online resources.
Digital tools and internet connectivity provide both teachers and learners with incredibly vast resources, which make research, teaching and learning a lot easier.
Beyond the ease, it also bridges the educational gap between advanced and developing countries, as well as between privileged and disadvantaged children, especially those in hard-to-reach locations.
Emphasis has been disproportionately placed on empowering children with devices and internet connectivity to enable them to get on the superhighway of online education and catch up with their peers around the world.
This is rather counterintuitive, considering teachers’ important role in supporting learners.
So, teachers must also be provided with access to the internet and digital devices.
More importantly, they must be trained (continuously) on how to use these resources because, as they say, you cannot give what you do not have.
For effective and productive global collaboration between teachers and students in Africa and their peers across the world, teachers must be motivated, equipped and empowered.
I am proud to state that as part of our $57 million collaboration with UNICEF, Airtel Africa is empowering both children and their teachers in the countries we do business in.
Aside from providing devices, connecting schools to the internet and zero-rating hundreds of online learning platforms, we are training teachers on how to utilize these modern educational resources to teach Africa’s future leaders.
In Tanzania, for example, over 2500 teachers have been trained in preparation for the connection of 50 schools, besides providing desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smart television sets.
The story is the same, in varying scale, in the other countries. Eventually, Airtel Tanzania will cover the entire 5000 schools in the country and train all the teachers!
During a recent visit to one of the schools adopted by Airtel Africa in Nigeria with some members of the Board and Senior Leadership, I was delighted to see how our contribution has enhanced teaching and learning.
The teachers assisted their students to log on to the Nigerian Learning Platform (NLP) to access lessons. In fact, the NLP also contains an online training series for teachers, peer review and continuous assessment modules.
This is the right, and only, direction that education should be headed to realistically transform the lives of children and promote innovation at early stages.
We acknowledge teachers’ crucial role in the ecosystem and we continue to seek partners for collaboration in expanding the scope of this intervention.
The Covid-19 pandemic ironically did one important good: highlighted the deficiencies in our education systems across the African continent.
These include infrastructure, funding and curricula, which are now being addressed by many governments, with varying degrees of success.
As a matter of fact, the obvious gaps identified during the pandemic inspired Airtel Africa’s decision to invest in digitization of education with UNICEF, the most experienced international organization in matters affecting children.
A World Bank study on Learning Poverty rate in sub-Saharan Africa, indicates that only one out of every 10 children aged 1-10 years can write and solve basic mathematical problems.
This dire situation cannot be reversed without highly skilled, trained, and motivated teachers. So, while I give a shout out to all the teachers on their day, I add my voice to the calls on governments to invest more in education generally, and teacher education, in particular.
The annual budgetary allocation to education should aim to achieve the 20% recommended by the United Nations.
Also, policy makers should consider removing all bottlenecks to digitizing education systems including exempting data and digital devices from duty and taxes. Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, and Madagascar have done well in this regard.
Finally, I call on other corporate organizations, especially tech companies to invest in teacher education and empowerment.
Perhaps, we should also establish credible award platforms to identify and recognize teachers who excel in their call of duty. That way, teachers would feel a greater sense of accountability and pride in their work.
Once again, I celebrate African teachers today and will always do!
About the author: Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, contributed this piece from Dubai
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) on Thursday expressed sadness over government delays to pay teachers’ salaries.
Teachers in about 10 districts are yet to get their September 2017 salaries. This is happening on the sidelines of World Teachers Day, as teachers have not yet gotten their perks.
TUM general secretary Charles Kumchenga said a report from the Accountant General on the delayed salaries attributes the situation to late submission of General Paper (GP) 5 by district education managers (DEMs) through councils which facilitate the payments.
Kumchenga said that in as far as the concept of Decentralisation is concerned; the delays by the DEMs might in the long run portray a bad picture despite being good for the teachers.
He added that district councils where teachers are yet to get their salaries include Lilongwe, Rumphi, Mwanza, Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Blantyre, Mulanje, Nkhotakota, Phalombe and M’mbelwa (Mzimba).
Kumchenga observed that it was becoming a habit that whenever teachers are on holiday, government always finds a way of coming up with excuses.
“Some of the DEMs make submissions before the deadline while some do not, and it is very sad that despite our salary payment system being decentralized, we still have to face challenges in accessing our salaries.
“It is very painful that even when celebrating World Teacher’s Day, some teachers have not yet received salaries,” said Kumchenga.
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