Ministry of Education

February, 2022 Issue newsletter

Govt purchases
1.3 million Science
and Mathematics
text books
PAGE 17

Teachers must Technology is key Ministry of Education

be honoured to development - goes Hi-tech
- NyaLonje Chang’anamuno

5 13 21
@MinistryOfEducation-Malawi @MinOfEducation
Message from the Secretary for Education

Happy New Year to you our dear readers.

Let me seize this opportunity to welcome you to the first edition of the Education
Newsletter in 2022. I hope, we will together continue sharing ideas and insights on how to
improve the standards of Education in the country.

Firstly, let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to our Minister of Education, Hon. Agnes
NyaLonje, for retaining her cabinet position during the recent Cabinet appointment by His
Excellency the President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

In the same vein, let me welcome to the education family, Hon. Monica Chang’anamuno,
M.P., who was appointed as Deputy Minister of Education. I, on behalf of Directors,
Management and members of Staff, welcome you to this new exciting role Hon. Deputy
Minister.

Allow me Honorable Minister and Honourable Deputy Minister to reaffirm loyalty and
commitment of the whole workforce of the Ministry to render you support as you provide
policy direction for the Ministry to realise the vision of President Chakwera of transforming
the education sector.

Let me also extend congratulations and best wishes to the former Deputy Minister of
Education, Hon. Madalitso Kambauwa-Wirima, M.P., who has now moved to Ministry
of Agriculture in a similar role. We commend the contribution you made over the past 20
months to improve the standards of Education in the country. We wish you well in your
new role.

Now that schools are in full session, I implore upon everyone to play a role in adhering and
enforcing all COVID-19 measures as advised by the Ministry of Health.

At Ministry level, we have deployed numerous interventions to help schools cope with
the pandemic. Currently, we are constructing 383 low-cost classrooms as one way of
creating more classroom space and reducing congestion. We are also drilling 502 boreholes
to improve sanitation and protection in schools. Additionally, we have also distributed
Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to all public secondary schools and some private
secondary schools across the country.

And in the continued drive to expand access, improve quality and motivate teachers for
better delivery of education services in the country, Government recruited and deployed
2,200 primary school teachers. We have also recruited and promoted 2,599 secondary
school teachers.

I wish you an enjoyable moment as you read this newsletter and contribute to the
transformation of the country’s education.

Thank You

Chikondano C. Mussa
February, 2022

EDITORIAL

Managing Editor
Chikondano C. Mussa

Editorial Advisor
James S.A. Manyetera

Editor in Chief
Chikondi Chimala

Editor
Tione Andsen
Editor’s Note
Contributors
Welcome to yet another exciting edition of the Education Newsletter.
Catherine Chimoyo This is our first edition of 2022 and we hope it will serve its purpose
of informing you of developments taking place in the education sector.
Joana Chagunda
Let me thank you for being loyal readers who provide timely
Mayamiko Chimbali and useful feedback that helps us improve how we package this
publication.
Sylvester Kumwenda
In this new year we intend to add a new dimension by extending our
Blessings Phumisa reach in terms of coverage to areas we have not covered before. We
intend to showcase what is taking place in the education sector in all
Malawi News Agency (MANA) parts of the country, be it rural or urban.
I call upon all of you our stakeholders - students, teachers, head
Photography teachers, District/ Division Education Managers, Principal Education
Advisors, parents, communities, and the public – to own this
Lisa Kadango newsletter, your mouthpiece. Tell us what is happening in your area so
that others can be encouraged and learn from you.
Roy Nkosi
We want to know how the end beneficiaries of government policies
Janet Simkoza and programmes on education are benefiting.
Knowing the level of interest this newsletter attracts, I am certain that
Designer we will receive a lot of submissions from across the country. Let me
promise that we will make sure we make use of each and every piece
Eugene Makwakwa of information we receive.
Even if some of it does not land in this Newsletter, it will find space
on one of our official digital channels namely, Facebook, Twitter and
Website.
We want to serve you better with quality timely information and we
rely on your contribution to this publication.
Enjoy reading this edition of Education Newsletter
Published by Public Relations Unit,
Ministry of Education, Private 328,
Capital City, Lilongwe 3

EDUCATION newsletter 3
 poem
THE HEAVY RAINS

By Rabecca Jobu, Standard 8 learner at

Ezondweni Primary School in Mzimba District

When the dark cloud held a meeting in the sky

We knew sooner tears will fall
Flowing the hard surface that waited for it
Waited patiently with hope
Hope that grass will come to life

The sky rose with a thunderstorm

The storm that would revive the earth heartbeat
The heartbeat we waited for
Waited since the four years of drought
Rivers will flow again
To moisten that hard soil from the farm

The rains came and kept failing and failing

Trees were uprooted and down the branches went
Staggering, failing on our mad house
Much to our shock, did we expect this much?

Rivers protested angrily

Roads closed, Bridges washed away
Read the road sign to warm speeding motorist
Houses swept away, crops washed away, livestock lost
Death toll rose like fever in a patient
Did we expect this much?
February, 2022
Teachers
must be
honoured
- NyaLonje
M
INISTER of
education Agnes
NyaLonje says it is
high time teachers
in the country are
accorded the respect, honor and
gratitude they deserve for their
service in rendering development to
the country through education.
She made the remarks on 30th
October in Lilongwe when Malawi
commemorated World Teachers
Day, which globally falls on October
5.
NyaLonje said teachers have for
a long time played a vital role in the
development of the country, not
only through academics, but also
in transmitting moral values and
discipline amongst children as well
as playing a leadership role in the
communities.
“For a long time we have said
that teachers are behind everyone
and country’s success. But in most
things we do, big or small, we do
not show, or we show in a little way
our appreciations for our teachers.
“What we want to see is that in
everything we do, we should think
about our teachers and how we
are going to uplift their lives. If we
believe that education is the key to
this country’s development, then
whatever we do must exactly reflect
that,” she said.
NyaLonje as such said
government will continue seeing
to it that teachers in the country
are recognized and appreciated,
working in desirable environment
and have adequate resources for
their work.
“Our country needs our teachers,
EDUCATION newsletter
NyaLonje (in red) presenting the certificates to the awardees at the celebration
and if we need them we must look
after them. We might not achieve
each and everything overnight, but
government is taking the right steps,”
she said.
She added saying the day is a
special day as it reminds every one
of the huge sacrifice teachers, whom
she described as being at the heart
of the education sector, provide in
developing Malawi.
Commemorations during the day
started with a big walk involving
teachers, the minister of education
and ministry officials, education
development partners amongst
others, from Game Complex to
Crossroads Hotel. winning categories.
There, teachers were treated to In his remarks, UNESCO -
various entertainment dishes like Norwegian Teacher Initiative
comedy, music and other traditional National Project Coordinator Dr.
performances to spice up their George Mindano said it is important
special day. to take stock of and appreciate
The celebrations of this year’s teacher’s contributions to the
World Teacher’s Day were held societies and the country as a whole.
under the theme ‘Teachers at the “All the professionals are where
Heart of Education Recovery’. they are because of teachers. This
During the function, outstanding is why UNESCO in 1994 initiated
teachers from primary, secondary global cerebrations of Teachers day.
and TTCs were recognized and
awarded medals, money, tablets TO PAGE 6
and scholarships according to their
5

MUBAS Enrolls International Students
I
N an effort to ensure that MUBAS
is working towards fulfilling its
goals, the university has registered a
number of international students for
the first time ever in the post graduate
programmes.
The students who are studying
various Masters programmes are
coming from countries like Rwanda,
Botswana, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
One of the students, Christian
Nsabimana who is studying Master of
Science in Infrastructure Development
and Management said that he was
randomly searching for a programme
of his interest when he noticed that it
is being offered at MUBAS, hence he
applied.
“I did not know MUBAS before,
I knew nothing about Malawi. But
when applying for ASIM scholarship,
I got the University of Malawi among
the host institutions, having also the
program that I wanted the most,” said
Nsabimana.
Some of the students are under the
ASIM and DAAD scholarships which are
being provided to successful candidates,
both local and international under
various post graduate programs.
“The environment is good, lecturers
Norwergian Teacher initiative National
Project Coordinator Dr. George
Mindano speaking at the celebrations
6 EDUCATION newsletter
International students
are well organized, most of them are
from my field, Civil Engineering, so I
feel very interested in new knowledge,
skills and attitude to be an addition to
what I had,” explained Nsabimana.
Concurring with Nsabimana is
Keketso Benjamin studying Master of
Science in Environmental Health who
highlighted that she knew about this
programme from her former lecturer in
Botswana.
“Classes are good and interactive,
the staff is really engaged and are
always willing to go an extra mile to
make sure that each student is settled
Teachers must be honoured - NyaLonje
FROM PAGE 5
Malawi being part of it celebrates
this day in recognition of teachers’
involvement in the social economic
growth of the country,” he said.
Mindano acknowledged that
there have been some challenges
in resolving teacher grievances like
the previously recurring resolve of
taking to the streets, which had been
detrimental to the education process
in the country.
However, he noted that the
situation is improving as many
February, 2022
and comfortable enough to take on
learning and overall enjoy their stay in
Malawi,” said Benjamin.
Both students expressed the
challenge they face in communication
outside the classes because most people
use the local language.
In an earlier interview, the Acting
Vice Chancellor Associate Professor
Nancy Chitera emphasized that it is one
of the goals for MUBAS to enroll a lot
of international students hence it will
help boost the university ranking and
recognition globally.
channels of resolving these challenges
are now open and vibrant.
He said: “it is a journey, but as
UNESCO, what we have done is
to sensitize, orient and capacitate
teachers, teacher unions, and other
government officials in ensuring that
there is social dialogue.
“Social dialogue is one that
entails that the teachers, employers,
employees, government officials and
others involved have a platform
to ensure that the various issues
affecting them have a platform
where they can talk,” said Mindano.
February, 2022
Deputy Education Minister
Chang’anamuno ready to serve
D
EPUTY Minister of Education,
Monica Chang’anamuno
has pledged total dedication
to the Ministry through her
new capacity in order to help in the
development of the country through
education.
Born in 1973 in Mdzibwa Village,
Traditional Authority (TA) Kabudula in
Lilongwe Rural West, Chang’anamuno
was appointed Deputy Minister of
Education to be part of the machinery
driving the development of education
sector in the country.
To those who know her, the
appointment does not come as a
surprise; it is a journey that started in
Mdzibwa Village from where she did
her Primary School Education which
led to her selection to Lilongwe Girls
Secondary School, where she finished
her form 4 in 1992.
With her inner strong drive and
desire to serve she had from a tender
age, Chang’anamuno obtained her
first degree in Biblical Studies and
Communications in 1997 at African
Bible College (ABC) and her Masters
of Arts in Organizational Leadership in
2014 at Africa International University
in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya.
“I have had an urge to serve since
when I was little girl. Whatever I did,
led me to a path of serving others and
I have always enjoyed it.
“I Have worked with several NGOs
both local and international such as
Habitat for Humanity Malawi, Pact
Malawi, Network of Organizations for
Vulnerable and Orphaned Children
(NOVOC) just to mention a few.
“In addition, I am a national trainer
on various psychosocial support tools
and Early Childhood Development
(ECD). So, most of my dedication has
been in service to others,” the new
Deputy Minister narrated.
She once worked as a Lecturer
EDUCATION newsletter
at African Bible College and DMI for Rise Malawi Ministries.
University. She has been involved in
Chang’anamuno serves the people consultancy work mainly in areas of
of Lilongwe North Constituency, which manual development and translation.
covers TA Kabudula as parliamentarian. With her vast experience in
During her time in Parliament, various fronts of work and service,
she has served in different capacities the Deputy Minister is hopeful of
like most recently as Chairperson rendering a helping hand in the quest
for Women Caucus and Vice of developing the Ministry and its
Chair for Local Authorities and activities.
Rural Development parliamentary Raised by a single mother in a
committees. family of 10 children, she is happily
She served as a member of several married to McAlly Chang’anamuno
other committees such as Budget and and have been blessed with two
Finance, Agriculture, International beautiful girls answering to the names
Relations and Southern Africa of Takondwa and
Development Community Committees. Tayamika.
“My aspiration is to bring change
in the lives of the people I serve. The
philosophy is that one should be able
to positively impact any life you meet.
“It is an honour to serving as
a Deputy Minister in this very
important Ministry which is
responsible for creating a literate
citizenry which can ably contribute
to the social economic development
of this country,” Chang’anamuno
noted.
Currently, she serves as President
for Swimming in Malawi,
member of CANA Zone
IV Swimming in
Southern Africa,
Board Chair
for Atsikana Pa
Ulendo (APU)
Girls Education
and Board
member
7

PS sounds out warning on school user fees
Mussa -Secretary for Education
THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
has reiterated that Malawi has a free
primary education policy and thus
school administrators should not charge
extra fees as has been the case in some
schools.
In a circular, dated 27h January,
Temwani
Chilenga:
Teacher Par
Excellence
H
ER Majesty Queen Elizabeth
II has recognised Temwani
Chilenga from Malawi, a
25-year old primary school
teacher helping nearly 100 homeless
and orphaned children and running
a free nursery school on her monthly
salary and donations.
Temwani becomes the 217th
Commonwealth Point of Light in
honour of her exceptional voluntary
service for providing shelter,
uniforms, learning materials and
food, providing four water points
around the school where she works
to alleviate the water problem and
running a free nursery school
The Queen as Head of
Commonwealth is thanking
inspirational volunteers across the
54 Commonwealth nations such as
Temwani, for the difference they
are making in their communities
8 EDUCATION newsletter
2022, Secretary for Education
Chikondano Mussa, said the act of
excessively charging various user fees to
primary school learners is against the
free primary education policy which
the Malawi Government introduced in
1994 and is still in force.
“The Ministry has regrettably
noticed that some schools are charging
learners various user fees such as
Registration fee, Examination fee,
Summer school fee, Report card fees,
EMIS code fees, mock examination etc.
In most cases, the amounts charged
are exorbitant and vary from one
school to another. Some schools charge
Standard 8 learners high fees of up
to MK25,000 and those that fail to
pay, are denied the opportunity to sit
for any examination administered in
the school. In some schools, learners
Temwani with British High Commissioner to Malawi David Beer
and beyond, to help inspire others
to make their own contribution to
tackling some of the greatest social
challenges of our time.
When receiving her award,
Temwani Chilenga said: “I am so
excited that Her Majesty The Queen
has recognised my work. The
recognition means so much to me
and it’s a big way of showing love,
encouragement and support. I am so
grateful for this. Thank you so much,
Your Majesty The Queen.”
For his part, the British High
February, 2022
are requested to pay registration fees
and those that fail to pay are denied
the chance to enroll in that particular
school,” reads the statement in part.
Adds Mussa: “This is unacceptable
as it pushes children out of school and
the Ministry will not condone such
a malpractice. No learner should be
sent back from school or denied the
opportunity to write school based
examinations due to non-payment of
such fees.”
Mussa sounded out a warning to
all head teachers that public schools in
Malawi are tuition free and any school
or teacher found charging fees will be
dealt with accordingly.
Malawi introduced the Free Primary
Education Policy in 1994 that is still
in force in all public primary schools
across the country.
Commissioner to Malawi David
Beer extended his congratulations to
Temwani for the award and for the
Source: British High Commission
recognition from Her Majesty The
Queen.
Beer said Temwani’s acts of
kindness are supporting one of
the UK’s top priorities in Malawi:
that every child enjoys a quality
education. Coming on International
Women’s Day, this should spur all
of us to do more to educate and
empower women and girls.
February, 2022
Minister NyaLonje
cheers up flood victims
M
INISTER OF EDUCATION
Hon. Agnes NyaLonje
Tuesday visited three
schools in the lower Shire
to see for herself how teaching and
learning has been affected following
devastation brought about by Cyclone
Ana.
The tour took her to Gonda
Primary, Nchalo Community Day
Secondary School (CDSS) and lastly
Bereu Primary School in Chikwawa
District.
The minister who was visibly
touched by the extent of the damage
caused to schools, reiterated that her
Ministry with support from various
partners will do all it can to provide
support.
Said NyaLonje: “My Ministry is
greatly concerned at the extent of
NyaLonje presents learning materials in Chikwawa
EDUCATION newsletter
the damage the disaster has caused to
school infrastructure in the District.
This is negatively impacting our ability
to provide of quality education.
However, I am really thankful to the
communities surrounding Gonda
Primary School mobilised resources
and constructed a classroom block
that we see here, as well as the one
under construction. This community
involvement shows that the school
administration enjoys good relations
with the community surrounding the
school. My Ministry will continue
to promote such collaborations in
order to enable communities to fully
participate in the provision of quality
education.”
In collaboration with UNICEF, the
minister donated some materials to
promote continuation of teaching and
learning during this difficult period. The
materials include: School-in-a-box kits,
recreation kits which comprises sports
equipment to support in psychosocial
activities and 4 portable chalk boards.
To support recovery and
continuation of learning NyaLonje
disclosed that her Ministry, in
collaboration with the World Food
Program (WFP), will implement an
emergency school feeding program for
three months known as “Take Home
Ration” where parents will receive
a dry ration of corn-soy blend which
is equivalent to a daily ration of wet
porridge for learners for one term. I
need to emphasise that the corn-soy
blend is special for learners only and
not the parents.
9
 February, 2022

TUM hails Govt for

‘CODE OF CONDUCT’

NyaLonje leads the march for common good

T
EACHERS UNION OF
MALAWI (TUM) has said the
launch of the Teachers’ Code
of Conduct is a milestone in
the education sector because it will
help in achieving a healthy working
environment.
TUM’s Secretary General, Charles
Kumchenga made these remarks
on 14th February during the launch
function in Lilongwe.
“The coming of this code of TUM Secretary General Charles Kumchenga recieves a copy
conduct will give us the do’s and
don’ts; this document is well balanced upon all those charged with the not as a means for exacting punitive
and it will create a healthy working responsibility of enforcing this Code of sanctions on teachers.
environment and bring sanity to the Conduct, (Headteachers, Inspectors, The Minister also requested all
education sector,” he said. Primary Education Advisers, Human managers to ensure that every teacher
Speaking during the launching Resource Officers, etc.) to do their job has access to the Code of Conduct and
ceremony, Minister of Education, diligently,” adding that her ministry is aware of what is contained therein.
Agnes NyaLonje, called upon teachers would work closely with TUM and NyaLonje also took opportunity
and managers of education alike, to other stakeholders to ensure that to assure teachers in the country that
internalize and embrace the National the Code of Conduct is used as a government is working tirelessly to
Teachers’ Code of Conduct. positive tool to promote professional ensure they are well supported in their
Said NyaLonje: “Let me also call behaviour amongst teachers and profession.

10 EDUCATION newsletter
A good
teacher
is like a
candle -
it consumes
itself to light
up the way
for others.
 February, 2022

President Chakwera with the team
PRESIDENT Dr. Lazarus Chakwera
in January met with members of the
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
(KUHeS) Council and Management,
accompanied by the Ministers of
Education and Health.
The meeting took place at
Kamuzu Palace, where the Council
members presented an ambitious
plan to construct a High-Tech Kamuzu
University Teaching Hospital (KUTH)
in Blantyre, whose construction site
has already been identified in the area
of Senior Chief Kuntaja.
Malawi to have
a High-Tech
University
Teaching
Hospital
President Chakwera expressed
delight at the plan and pledged his
support to see it done, for it aligns
with his Administration’s resolve
to invest in health and education
infrastructure for human capital
development in pursuit of Malawi
2063 Vision.

PROJECT BRIEF: Improving Secondary

Education in Malawi (ISEM) II Project

T
HE European Union
Delegation (EUD) is
supporting secondary
education through the
Improving Secondary Education in
Malawi II (ISEM II) Project under
the 11th European Development
Fund. ISEM II project started in
June, 2021 for 5 years with a budget
amount of 55 Million EUR and it
is a continuation of ISEM I project
which was implemented from 2015
to 2020. The project will target 12
districts of Mzimba, Rumphi, Ntchisi,
Salima, Lilongwe, Dedza, Mangochi, Students like these to benefit from the Wearing of masks in an examination
Zomba, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Nsanje, project room strictily followed.
and Mulanje and particularly 40
Community Day Secondary Schools professional development) to improve will primarily focus on CDSSs which
(CDSSs) inside these 12 districts. the quality of secondary education. constitute 62% of secondary schools
ISEM II will address the challenges The project will further support the in Malawi and carters for the rural and
being faced in secondary education management of the sub-sector to most disadvantaged communities.
through the expansion and upgrading make it more effective and efficient. The overall objective of the project
of selected schools, and also providing Special focus will be given to address is to provide young people with more
the quality resources for teaching gender barriers to access and complete equitable opportunities for completing
and learning. It will also support secondary education through direct good quality secondary education and
teacher training (both upgrading of support to students. developing skills needed for the labour
underqualified teachers and continuous Further to the above, ISEM II market.

12 EDUCATION newsletter
February, 2022
Minister of Gender Patricia Kaliati speaks
during the function
NCHE launches Gender and
Anti-Sexual Harassment
Policy for Higher Education
T
HE National Council for
Higher Education (NCHE),
successfully launched the
Model Gender and Anti-
Sexual Harassment Policy for Higher
Education Institutions in Malawi.
NCHE developed the Model
Policy under the EU funded Spotlight
Initiative, through the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP)
The Model Gender Policy has
been developed in order to offer a
reference document for public and
private Higher Education Institutions
in integration of gender in their
operations with students and staff
members.
Guest of Honour, Dr. Patricia
Kaliati, who is the Minister of
Gender, Community Development
and Social Welfare, said universities
are important institutions in the
advancement of gender equality
and development of the country,
noting that universities do not only
provide formal education but are
also powerful agents of socialization
EDUCATION newsletter
Mussa - We can end sex-for-grades and Minister of Gender Patricia Kaliati launches
exploitation of women
because it is in these institutions where
values, beliefs, behaviours are shaped.
The Minister noted however that,
in spite of this, a lot of concerns have
been raised regarding the sector’s
status of gender equality which is very
worrisome.
“As we speak today, there are
very few universities with Female
Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Deans
or Heads of Departments and even
Professors. Actually, women comprise
only 32.5% of academic staff in both
public and private universities with
most of these in lower grades.
“This is not to speak of students
because according to NCHE, only
39% of students enrolled in various
universities are female and most of
these are mainly in arts related courses
and programs. When it comes to
Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) related courses,
women’s enrollment is very wanting
because these are considered men’s
domain,” Dr. Kaliati said.
Secretary for Education,
the Policy
Chikondano Mussa observed that the
Model Gender Policy is a very critical
step towards addressing the persistent
inequalities and sexual harassment
concerns in the sector.
“We can end sex-for-grades
and exploitation of women in
higher education with effective
implementation of Gender and Anti-
Sexual Harassment Policies. We will
closely monitor implementation of
these policies,” she said.
NCHE Chairperson Dr. Beatrice
Mtimuni reiterated that NCHE will
ensure that Gender and Anti-Sexual
Harassment Policies are not just
launched in universities, but are also
implemented.
NCHE Acting Chief Executing
Officer Dr. Ambumulire Phiri
concurred saying there is need to make
the Model Policy truly effective and
deliver the desired results.
So far 22 public and private
universities have either developed or
reviewed their Gender policies based
on the Model.
13
 February, 2022

Technology is key to
development - Chang’anamuno

D
EPUTY Minister of Education Monica
Chang’anamuno says promoting
education and technology among the
youth is the surest pathway to the
development and achievement of the Malawi
2063 agenda.
The Deputy Minister who was presiding
over an educational technology showcase
and networking event organised by NextGen
Labs in Lilongwe, said Malawi must make
rapid progress in seizing opportunities and
overcoming challenges.
“As the world enters the Fourth Industrial
Revolution of artificial intelligence, robotics and
the internet of things, the challenge for Malawi
is to equip its youth with knowledge and skills The Deputy Minister listens to one of the kids
needed for the emerging world of work. With
over 80% of the population below the age of
35 and a median age of 17, the challenges are
immense but so are the opportunities,” said
Chang’anamuno.
She added that in order to harness this
potential demographic dividend, Malawi must
make rapid progress in seizing opportunities
and overcoming challenges.
The Deputy Minister said the dawn of the
Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will feature
artificial intelligence, robotics, 3-D printing and
the “internet-of-things”, will require Malawi to
be ready for the new challenge indicating that
the revolution will affect jobs in all sectors of
the economy and education of the youth which
will be critical for achieving the strategic goals Chang’anamuno tries on some of the technologies
set out in the Malawi 2063 Agenda.
Director of Science Technology and
Innovation (DSTI), Prof. Chomora Mikeka and
his Open, Distance and E-Learning (DODEL)
counterpart Prof. Joshua Valeta who all spoke
during the function, said that through their
respective directorates, they will ensure that
the youth of Malawi are well catered for in the
fourth industrial revolution.
Using its spacious 500 square metres space
and the use of drones, latest computers and
tablets, NextGen is giving Malawian youth
an opportunity to be at par with their peers
around the world in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
programmes.
Some of the whiz kids pose in a picture with the Deputy Minister

14 EDUCATION newsletter
 February, 2022
Kaliyeka Primary School Tree Planting
Higher
education
crucial for 2063
Malawi agenda
- Eneya
D
IRECTOR of Higher
Education in the ministry
of education Dr Levis
Eneya says human capital
development is crucial for the
realisation of the Malawi 2063
Agenda.
Eneya made the disclosure recently
in Lilongwe when India based
Sharda University, under the 2019
Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with government of Malawi,
announced the opening for the
call of entries for the 2022 partial
scholarships for Malawian students.
He said education is an enabler for
the realisation of the 2063 agenda,
as such, the ministry is implementing
various programs aimed at improving
learning institutions infrastructure,
curriculum development, access and
delivery. As such, he said the coming
EDUCATION newsletter
Kaliyeka Primary School hosts tree
planting campaign
LILONGWE CITY Mayor Richard
Banda has called upon people in the
city of Lilongwe to plant more trees
in order to restore the environment.
Banda was speaking during the
official launch of Greening Lilongwe
Campaign at Kaliyeka Primary
School.
He disclosed that the City Council
had donated 5,000 seedlings
which were planted at Kaliyeka
Primary School and surrounding
communities.
He encouraged communities to
plant more trees so that they assist
Eneya - Higher education is key
in of partners sharing government
vision is always valued.
“The Malawi 2063 agenda of
making Malawi a middle income
economy can only work if we invest
substantively in education, that is
why we are implementing all these
different programs.
“And improving access to not
only higher but quality education has
always been a priority, this is why we
are excited with this development
the city council’s vision of turning
Lilongwe green.
“I know for sure that every
household that is surrounded by this
school will make use of this initiative
by supporting Lilongwe City Council.
Because these trees need to be
planted in cemeteries, churches,
schools, household,” he said.
Headteacher of Kaliyeka Primary
School, Ayida Mtupanyama Maulidi,
commended the Council for
choosing the school as one of the
beneficiaries of the project.
because it is speaking directly to the
aspirations of Malawi,” said Eneya.
Under the scholarship, students
selected to pursue various programs
at Sharda University in India will
be expected to pay half of the total
fees, while the other half will be
shouldered by the university. So
far, 49 students from Malawi have
benefited from this initiative, whereby
some have already graduated while
some are still studying.
15

Young leaders empowered to champion
non-discrimination in schools
YOUNG school managers in Nkhata
Bay have been challenged to
champion non-discrimination in their
schools.
The young managers that included
head boys and head girls from nine
primary schools under Chombe
education zone admitted that
discriminatory attitudes are rampant
in their schools especially towards
girls that have been withdrawn from
marriages and those that had fallen
Likoma School gets K 0.750 Million
electrical installation materials
L
IKOMA Conservation
Foundation (LCF) in January
donated assorted electrical
installation materials worth
K750,000.00 to Mtengula Primary
School in Likoma District.
Programmes Manager for
LCF, Davie Kacholora said the
organization felt duty bound to
assist the school connect electricity to
improve performance of learners as
well as teachers.
“We have donated electrical
installation materials for wiring in
two classrooms besides providing
cash for payment of connection fee
16
pregnant.
In an interview head girl for
Chombe Primary School, Judith
Nyirenda, said her role is to
educate fellow learners against the
malpractice.
“Indeed, some learners don’t
understand that our friends who had
gotten pregnant or married need our
support so that they don’t feel out
of place when admitted back into
school.”
and all of these have amounted to K
750,000.00.
We are hopeful that once the
project is completed, learners shall
have ample time to study and
improve their academic performance.
We are looking forward for
improved quantitative and qualitative
performance in all classes at this
school,” he said.
Chairperson for the School
Management Committee (SMC),
Kennedy Tsamba assured the
organization that the donated items
would be used accordingly to achieve
the intended goal.
February, 2022
Ministry
introduces
online
COVID-19
data
platform
THE Ministry has established a
COVIDE-19 dashboard, which
will be used as a tool for
recording COVID statistics in
the education sector.
Education is one of the
sectors that has borne the
brunt of COVID-19, with
schools being closed on not
less than three occasions from
2020.
The Ministry’s COVID-19
response lead officer, Deputy
Director for Planning, Jean
Chiona says the dashboard
provides latest COVID data in
real time.
“For easy reference, people
can use the link http://crs.
education.gov.mw/ there,
they will get readily available
up to date COVID data which
in the education sector are
the key in terms of policy
direction by government and
other stakeholders.
Officials from primary,
secondary, tertiary and all
education institutions were
already trained and appraised
in management and usage of
the dashboard,” she says.”
Chiona said the ministry
had come up with the tool
because its officials were being
frequently asked about COVID
statistics in the country.
EDUCATION newsletter
February, 2022
There you go - NyaLonje (R) symbolically receives the books from Sanvordekaron on behalf of Government
Govt distributes 1.3 million Science and
Mathematics textbooks
M
INISTER OF EDUCATION
Agnes NyaLonje in
February presided over the
symbolic presentation of
1.293 million science and mathematics
text books and teacher guides that
have been distributed to all 885 public
secondary schools across the country.
The Ministry through the World
Bank funded Equity with Quality
Learning in Secondary (EQUALS)
project, purchased the Science and
Mathematics text books and teacher at
a cost of K1.5 billion.
Speaking during the presentation
ceremony at Masuku Community Day
Secondary School (CDSS) in Mangochi,
NyaLonje said for the first time in the
history of Malawi, every science and
mathematics secondary school learner
will have a book of their own.
The Minister said her Ministry now
expects to see improved teaching and
learner performance in all secondary
schools across the country.
“In 2015, Malawi adopted a science
based curriculum and the understanding
was that we should have enough
resources for teaching and learning
for science subjects like laboratories,
libraries, textbooks and teachers’ guides.
EDUCATION newsletter
As we speak, we had never achieved
that.
“But from today, every student
of Biology, Physics, Mathematics and
Chemistry will have their own book
for all these subjects. Therefore, this is
an emotional and historical day for us
in the Ministry as we know we are on
our way to beginning to ensure quality
education,” said NyaLonje.
NyaLonje subsequently urged
schools, students, teachers, parents and
all Malawians to take good care of the
books.
“These books are a huge investment
for Malawi as Government has used
around K1.5 billion to purchase them.
But this will not mean a thing if we
are not interested in taking care of the
books.
“We should make sure the books
outlive their lifespans, avoid stealing
and indecorous use of the books. We
are already in the knowledge era, and
if we want every Malawian to take
part in helping Malawi achieve her
2063 agenda, the answer lies in these
books,” said NyaLonje.
She then assured Malawians that
government will still aim at making
sure necessary books for learners in all
schools are available, including primary
and tertiary institutions.
A Form Four learner at the Masuku
CDSS, Patricia Adini who spoke on
behalf of fellow learners, said the
textbooks were a source of motivation
among learners in the country adding
that learners have all the reasons to
improve their academic performance.
The EQUALS project started in 2020
with support from the World Bank
through an IDA credit of US$90Million.
The six years’ project targets
secondary schools more especially
CDSS’s which are at a disadvantage
in terms of teaching and learning
materials.
17

SONA:
President
Chakwera
talks
education
P
RESIDENT Dr. Lazarus
McCarthy Chakwera in
February delivered his third
State of the Nation Address
(SONA) at Parliament in Lilongwe.
His address covered all sectors in
line with the MW2063 development
agenda. It also touched on human
capacity development, bearing in
mind that the transformation of the
nation hinges on human capacity
development, a critical area led by
the Ministry of Education.
We have delinked the
old University of Malawi, and are
committed to provide the necessary
infrastructure for the new public
universities, such as LUANAR’s
new Administration block and
teaching complex and the School of
Economics, all due for completion
in the 2022/2023 Fiscal Year, while
also constructing new buildings at
the University of Malawi, at Kamuzu
20.20,500 Students to
receive grants and loans
THE Higher Education Students Loans
and Grants Board (HESLGB) has
announced a total of 20,000 students
who will receive loans and grants
respectively.
The Board said the selected
students are pursuing higher
education in both public and private
institutions.
Henry Chingaipe, Chairperson
18
President Chakwera delivers the SONA
University of Health Sciences, at
Malawi University of Business
and Applied Sciences, at Malawi
University of Science and Technology,
and at Mzuzu University;
We have partnered with the
private sector to construct hostels in
all public universities.
We commenced the
construction of 250 secondary
schools under the Secondary
Education Expansion Development
(SEED) Project in partnership with the
United States of America, as well as
308 classrooms, 120 teachers’ houses,
60 student teachers’ hostels and 60
administration blocks in 60 teaching
practice schools in partnership with
of Loans and Grants Disbursement
Committee at HESLGB said out of
21, 997 applicants, 20 786 have
been successful, representing a 6.92
percent increase from the number of
students that were given loans in the
2020/2021 academic year.
Chingaipe further said this shows
government’s commitment towards
higher education.
February, 2022
Germany;
We have committed to
establish 34 Secondary Schools
of Excellence, with Chikwawa,
Phalombe, Nkhotakota, Mangochi,
Lilongwe and Rumphi earmarked for
the first;
We will increase the number
of teachers and teaching and
learning materials in response to
expected increase in enrolment;
We have constructed 851
classrooms to expand space for our
primary school learners;
We have accelerated the
completion of the construction of
the three Teacher Training Colleges in
Chikwawa, Rumphi and Mchinji.
Chingaipe (r) makes the announcement
EDUCATION newsletter
February, 2022
Minister impressed with
2021 MSCE results
Minister NyaLonje announces the 2021 MSCE Examination results
M
INISTER of education,
Agnes NyaLonje says
the 51.99 percent pass
rate in the 2021 Malawi
Government recruits 4,799 teachers
GOVERNMENT has over the last two
months recruited 4,799 primary and
secondary school teachers. Government
finalised the recruitment process of
2,200 primary school teachers who
were part of the Initial Primary Teacher
Education (IPTE 13) Cohort and
deployed them in January to various
primary schools through district councils
across the country. And in February,
government conducted interviews
for the recruitment and promotion of
Secondary School Teachers (Grades TJ
and TI) in various disciplines.
Secretary for Education Chikondano
Mussa says the double recruitment form
part of ongoing efforts by Government
EDUCATION newsletter
School Certificate of Education
(MSCE) examinations shows a trend of
improved performance in the exams.
She disclosed that the 2021 results
Musssa – Government for quality
education
are so far the best in three years and
the examinations were leakage-free.
She however says though the results
that we are on the upward trajectory
in so far as results re concerned, the
Ministry will not rest on its laurels
till the improvement cascades to
acceptable levels with minimal failure
rates.
Announcing the results together
with senior officials from MANEB and
the Ministry, the Minister said 123,008
sat for the examinations and 63,949
passed representing the 51.99% pass
rate.
Out of 57,999 female students who
sat for the examinations 26,311 passed
representing 41.14 percent and out of
65,009 male students who sat for the
examinations, 37,638 students passed
representing 57.9 percent.
And for students with special needs,
out of 508 students, 213 students
passed representing 41.93 percent.
The minister also added that the
government will continue to invest in
management and resource provision to
schools to ensure better performance.
The Minister also extended
gratitude to all teachers countrywide
for their commitment to produce
results amidst various challenges they
faced.
to improve the quality of education
service delivery in the country.
In a press statement, Mussa said
that the Ministry had recruited and
promoted 2,599 teachers to be
deployed to various secondary schools
across the country. She indicated that
the recruitment of over one thousand
(1,000) teachers represents the largest
recruitment of secondary school teachers
by government in the country’s history.
Added Mussa: “Government would
like to assure the nation that it will
continue reducing the current high
Student-Teacher ratio to improve the
quality of education across all education
subsectors.”
19
 February, 2022

UPDATES ON
VARIOUS
TOPICAL
ISSUES

TEACHERS’ COUNCIL
My Ministry is also setting up a
Teachers’ Council whose mandate
is to improve the delivery of
education services. Its main function
is to register, deregister and license
teachers, promote professional and
ethical standards in the teaching
profession, and to advise the
Minister of any matters related to
education. This will serve to further
enhance and professionalize the
teaching profession. As I stand here,
all preliminary processes have been
finalised and we are just waiting
for the appointment of Council
Members.
REVISED HARDSHIP
ALLOWANCE
In order to ensure teacher
availability and retention in hard
to reach schools, Government has
targeted those very remote or
hard to reach schools with the new
revised hardship allowance. Teachers
in very hard to reach schools will be
getting MK25,000, those in semi-
hard to reach schools will be getting
MK15,000. The allowances will be
attached to the school and not to
the individual teacher.
CONSTRUCTION OF
TEACHERS HOUSES
In 2021/22 we constructed 60 semi-
detached teachers’ houses to house
120 teachers and in the 2022/23
Financial Year my Ministry will
construct 207 semi-detached cost-
effective teachers’ houses to house
414 teachers targeting the hard to
reach schools.
NEW TEACHER 6,900 primary school teachers,
TRAINING COLLEGES
“We are constructing three Teacher
Training Colleges (TTCs) in Rumphi,
Mchinji and Chikwawa districts. The
capacity of each of these is 600 bed
spaces and the output from these
colleges will reduce the student to
qualified teacher ratio and improve
the quality of education for our
primary schools.
Construction of the three TTCs
started in January, 2018. My
Ministry’s target is to have all three
TTCs completed by August, 2022.”
GOVERNMENT TO
RECRUIT 6,900 TEACHERS
On increasing the number of
Teachers we are seeking to establish
a qualified teacher to student
ratio of 1:60. In the 2021/22 my
Ministry recruited 2,200 primary
school teachers and 3,270 auxiliary
teachers. In the 2022/23 Financial
Year my Ministry will recruit
3,000 auxiliary teachers and 230
inspectors.
COMPULSORY BASIC
EDUCATION
“We are in the process of
introducing Compulsory Basic
Education in primary. We have
made it a priority in the first 10-
Year Implementation Plan of our
longterm Malawi 2063 development
plan, to give every child at least 12
years of education.”
Hon. Agnes NyaLonje,
Minister of Education

20 EDUCATION newsletter
February, 2022

Ministry of Education goes Hi-tech

and adapt it to our needs. We need
to utilise it to drive innovation,
especially in our education system.
Said NyaLonje: “Digitalisation
is now an embedded business
practice; the workforce is changing
its character from purely human
to a mix of humans interacting
with machines. We need to learn
and invest in new sciences such as
robotics and artificial intelligence,
that are associated with the so-called
4th Industrial Revolutions. We,
therefore, need to re-tool, up-skill,
re-skill and right-skill our people
for the new world of education
and work that is relevant for job
creation. In short, we need to
educate our youth so that they are
agile and can compete regionally
and globally in the 21st Century and
NyaLonje cuts a ribbon to launch the project beyond.”

M
She closed her remarks by
INISTER of Education change and use it. We need to strongly urging ‘my colleagues in the
Agnes NyaLonje drive it by being good in sciences, Ministry to provide the necessary
December presided appropriate technologies and support and oversight that will assure
over the launch of the innovation; and we need to import the sustainability of the systems
Connect-A-School Initiative as part the necessary technology, adopt installed in these three schools.’
of digitalisation of Education in
Malawi at a function that took place
at Nkhotakota Secondary School in
Nkhotakota District.
The Connect-a-School initiative
is part of the Ministry’s strategic
objective to digitalize education.
The pioneering initiative is covering
three schools, namely: Nkhotakota,
Chitipa and Mulunguzi Secondary
Schools, with all the costs borne by
Open Connect Limited (OCL).
The three schools in the pilot
phase were supplied with computers
and Wi-Fi connectivity by OCL to
enable students to be on online.
During the launch, NyaLonje
observed a lesson being delivered
digitally with a teacher based in
Blantyre and students in a class at
the school with the students able to
interface with the teacher.
The Minister said as country NyaLonje delivers her speech
we need to embrace technological

EDUCATION newsletter 21

Hon. Wirima presents an award
Wirima hails CAMFED for
Girl Child Interventions
F
ORMER Deputy Minister
of Education, Madalitso
Kambauwa-Wirima, M.P.,
has hailed CAMFED Malawi
for the continued support
towards the promotion of girl child
education in the country.
Kambauwa said the efforts
CAMFED put in to see that
marginalized girls get education as
any other child, is in line with the
Governments policy.
She said this recently in Blantyre
at Mount Soche Hotel during
the launch of the MasterCard
Foundation Tertiary Scholarships
and the launch of a manual
Handbook.
“The launch of these scholarships
is a step forward to increasing
access especially to girls who are
marginalized. It is very important
because these girls did not have
22
hope to have someone hold their
hands through their educational
journey from primary to tertiary
education, “she said
The Deputy Minister further
commended CAMFED for the 10-
year collaboration with the Ministry
through which they support 3,500
marginalized girls who are in
National, District and Community
Day Secondary Schools.
Acting National Coordinator
for CAMFED Malawi, Robert
Chiwoza, said the launch of the
MasterCard Tertiary Scholarships is
the organization’s transition from
supporting the girls from Secondary
School to Tertiary School.
He said the launch is just a
symbolic function to formalize our
commitment to these girls from our
support from Secondary School to
Tertiary School.
February, 2022
Hon. Wirima delivers keynote address
“With comprehensive bursary
support girls are able to return to
school and with available academic
support get can perform better in
class. With these bursaries we have
seen a lot of girls doing well in
school and some being selected to
Universities,” he explained
Chiwoza also said that through
this tertiary bursary they are
supporting 190 girls who have
already secured places in different
universities, 244 will be going to
Technical colleges and 350 will be
engaged in enterprise development.
Expressing her gratitude towards
her financial support towards her
education from CAMFED, Bertha
Lukasi who was at Likuni Girls
Secondary School thanked CAMFED
for the support, saying it has helped
her achieve her dream of going to
University.
Lukasi who scored 12 points in
the 2020 Malawi School Leaving
Certification of Education (MSCE)
said her parents would not have
managed to support her throughout
her educational journey.
During the launch, Likuni Girls
was awarded with the Best School
Achiever Award for achieving 100
percent pass rate and 19-year-old
Rabecca Subili from Mlunguzi
Secondary School was awarded
with the best performer Award for
being the outstanding student by
scoring 10 points.
EDUCATION newsletter
February, 2022
International Day of Education to remember
MINISTER of Education, Agnes
NyaLonje, together with her then
deputy, Madalitso Kambauwa-
Wirima, M.P., led the nation
in commemorating the global
International Day of Education on
Monday, 24th January, 2022 at an
event that took place in Lilongwe.
NyaLonje reiterated governments’
commitment to transform the
education sector in the country.
Both NyaLonje and, Kambauwa-
Wirima were dressed in primary
school uniforms as well as Secretary
for Education Chikondano Mussa
and other senior Ministry officials in
Ministry distributes PPEs
in Secondary Schools
Nkhata hands over PPEs to Lilongwe
Girls Secondary School Headteacher
M
INISTRY OF EDUCATION
through World Bank
funded Equity with
Quality Learning at
Secondary (EQUALS) Project, has
distributed Personal Protective
Equipment (PPEs) to public Secondary
Schools in the country.
The Ministry procured 3,072
water buckets; 25,600 cartons of
handwashing soap; 1,024,000 boxes of
surgical masks; 51,200 400ml bottles
of hand sanitizer; and 51,200 60ml
bottles of hand sanitizers that were
EDUCATION newsletter
NyaLonje (r) with Kambauwa-Wirima.
distributed to all public and some
private secondary schools across the
country.
The distribution was done through
the Ministry’s six Education Divisions of
the country.
Secretary for Education,
Chikondano Mussa said, “The Ministry
was committed to ensuring that
teaching and learning takes place in
a safe and secure environment for
students, teachers and community at
large hence it will continue providing
support to both public and private
schools in the country.”
Education Division Manager (EDM)
for Central West, Joseph Nkhata,
made symbolic handover of the PPEs
to Secondary Schools in Mchinji and
Lilongwe, where he called for prudent
use of the PPEs.
“We want to encourage all schools
to be serious in making use of materials
that have been given. It is one thing
to receive things and the other to use
them. We. As a ministry, cannot risk
closing down schools every now and
then because we are not observing the
preventive measures,” Nkhata said.
This is the third time the Ministry
has distributed similar PPEs to some
Secondary Schools in the country.
solidarity with millions of students
across the country.
Held under the theme, ‘Changing
Course, Transforming Education’
the day was set by the United
Nations (UN) in celebration of the
role of education for peace and
development. It was noted that
without inclusive and equitable
quality education and lifelong
opportunities for all, countries will
not succeed in achieving gender
equality and breaking the cycle of
poverty that is leaving millions of
children, youth and adults behind.
Sweden Commits
support to
Malawi Education
SWEDEN’S Ambassador to Malawi,
Her Excellency, Åsa Pehrson,
January held discussions with
Minister of Education, Hon. Agnes
NyaLonje in Lilongwe.
The two discussed areas
of mutual interest for the
development of the education
sector in the country. Sweden is
one of the countries that offer
scholarships to Malawian students.
Ambassador Åsa Pehrson is
resident in Harare, Zimbabwe and
is responsible for Malawi, Mauritius
and Zimbabwe.
Pehrson and NyaLonje
23

The winning team
Minister applauds
young innovators
M
INISTER OF
EDUCATION Agnes
NyaLonje, says
Government, through
her Ministry, is committed to
supporting young people innovation
as a way to boost socio-economic
development in the country in line
with the Malawi 2063 (MW2063).
The Minister made the remarks
during the 2021 Young Innovators
Awards held at the Ministry of
Education headquarters in Lilongwe.
Out of 14 applicants, three young
innovators were identified through
a rigorous review by a constituted
panel of experts in Science,
Technology and Innovation. The
2021 young innovators award was
pegged at MK 500,000. The top
three successful young innovators
24
were Dumisani Namakhwa, Kelvin
Khauke and Astonie Mukiwa.
NyaLonje emphasised that the
initiatives will motivate young
people to implement their visions
and learn new ideas which will bring
new developments to the country
thereby achieving the MW2063
implementation.
DUMISANI NAMAKHWA is a
Biomedical Engineering graduate
(2021) from Malawi University of
Science and Technology (MUST),
currently pursuing a Master of Science
degree in Applied Mathematics at
the African Institute for Mathematical
Sciences in South Africa. He
conceptualized and designed a
low-cost IoT-based infant health
monitoring system for monitoring the
condition of infants at different times
February, 2022
of the day. He was represented by
Ruth Mtuwa, project team member.
KELVIN KHAUKE, a Level 1
fabrication and welding student
from Lilongwe Technical College
has designed, fabricated and
commercialized an electric powered
maize shelling machine.
ASTONIE MUKIWA is a Computer
Systems and Security graduate from
MUST. He is currently a Software
Developer Intern at the Directorate
of Research, Postgraduate Studies
and Outreach DIRPO (MUST). He
developed a Parliamentary Sessions
Tracking Tool which the Ministry of
Education plans to use for tracking
its parliament commitments. The
Malawi Communications Regulatory
Authority (MACRA) will support
hosting of the platform.
EDUCATION newsletter
February, 2022
PEAs trained in Disaster
Risk Management
Group photo Disaster Risk Management Training – Mzimba district
P
RIMARY Education Advisors
(PEAs) across the country
have been trained in Disaster
Risk Management (DRM)
to ensure teachers and learners are
conversant with mechanisms and
approaches of managing disaster
risks so as teaching and learning
processes are not disrupted by
disasters.
The trainings were conducted
by the Ministry of Education’s
Directorate of Teacher Education
and Development (DTED) with
support from NORAD, Norwegian
Teacher Initiative and UNICEF. One
of the districts where the trainings
were held is Mzimba.
Speaking during a training
session in the district, Director for
Education, Youth and Sports for
Mzimba South Education District,
Fiddes Msowoya said the training
was crucial especially during this
time when disasters are rampant.
“This is important because it will
EDUCATION newsletter
Mrs Bridget Nungu – We are satisfied,
the material in the DRM manual has
been well articulated and the objectives
that we set have been achieved
help equip the PEAs with relevant
knowledge for managing various
forms of disasters occurring in their
areas of influence,” she said
Amongst others, participants
were taken through the definition
of disasters, history of disasters
in Malawi, phases of disaster
management and how they would
affect planning processes if not
properly handled, and elements of
hazards mapping, an exercise which
would help participants identify
areas of potential danger in their
localities.
During the two-day interactive
training, PEAs discussed also
discussed how they can keep learners
in school despite catastrophic
situations being faced in the district,
COVID-19 pandemic inclusive.
Bridget Nungu, from DTED’s
Monitoring and Evaluation section
expressed satisfaction with the way
the training was conducted.
“I would like to urge all
participants to go back home and be
proactive in teaching others within
their zones whatever you have
learnt,” she said.
25

US $100 million World Bank-
financed SAVE Project rolls out
N
INE higher education
institutions, seven
national technical colleges
and about 30 skills
development institutions will soon
start benefitting from the $100
million World Bank-financed Skills for
a Vibrant Economy (SAVE) project
following the final submission of
their plans to the Project Steering
Committee (PSC).
The National Technical Colleges
(NTCs) are Livingstonia, Mzuzu,
Namitete, Lilongwe, Salima, Soche
and Nasawa. The Higher Education
Institutions (HEIs) are Mzuzu
University (MZUNI), Lilongwe
University of Agriculture and Natural
Resources (LUANAR), Nalikule
College of Education, Domasi
College of Education, University of
Malawi (UNIMA), Malawi University
of Business and Applied Sciences
(MUBAS), Kamuzu University of
The SAVE Team poses for a picture
26
Health Sciences (KUHES) and Malawi
University of Science and Technology
(MUST).
The SAVE Project, under the
ministries of Education and Labour, is
aimed at supporting increased access,
particularly for female students,
to skills development programs in
priority areas of the economy that
are most relevant to the labour
market. It will prioritize access and
reduce the constraints faced by
female students in accessing tertiary
education and help ensure a safe and
conducive learning environment.
At a meeting of the PSC in
Lilongwe, Chairperson and Education
Secretary Chikondano Mussa asked
implementing institutions to focus
more on innovative and demand-
driven approaches to boost labour
force skills, women’s empowerment,
digital skills and technology,
institutional strengthening and
February, 2022
learning continuity.
“Under this project, we will need
more research-based and demand-
driven innovations such as the
production of electric motorbikes.
This is also a perfect opportunity for
implementing institutions to develop
meaningful infrastructure and procure
equipment and learning materials to
support teaching and learning,” she
said.
Over its lifetime, the project will
benefit about 45,000 university
students and 65,000 technical and
vocational students. The project
will support the achievement of
Malawi’s key strategic priorities in the
education sector, as outlined in the
National Education Sector Investment
Plan in line with the country’s long
term development strategy Malawi
Vision 2063 (MW2063) and its
implementation plan for the first 10
years (MIP-1).
EDUCATION newsletter
February, 2022

NEW APPOINTMENTS

Grace Milner

Director of Basic Education

(DBE)

George Macdonald Vakusi Chrissy Mtonga

Deputy Director of Science, Deputy Director ICT

Technology and Innovation
(DDSTI)

Rose Kalizang’oma

Deputy Director of Teacher

Education and Development
(DDTED)

Lucy Magagula Burton Katantha

Deputy Director, Inclusive Deputy Director, Human

Education Resource Management

Kondwani Jawati

Principal Legal Officer

EDUCATION newsletter 27
 February, 2022

W OUR ST
NO AF
K F

Who is Jauleni
1 FULL NAME ROLE MODEL 8
Jauleni Banda Dr. Zingano, an
architect who
2 BIRTHDAY
runs Zingano and
5th July
Associates who he
3 FAVOURITE says inspires him to
FOOD do more
Nsima and nkhwani
ADVICE 9
4 FREE TIME Do unto others what
I love spending my free you would like them to do
time at the garden farming, unto you. I have been into
currently I’m cultivating marriage for almost 22 years
onion, cabbage and sweet now and still going strong.
potatoes
FUTURE PLANS 10
5 MARITAL STATUS To serve and spread the
Married with four children. gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I am a member of the Jehovah’s
6 PAINFUL MOMENT
Witnesses.
When I lost two children in one
week in 2016
HOBBIES 11
7 FAVOURITE COLOUR To interact with people while
Blue and Black preaching the gospel

JAULENI BANDA is currently working as a driver for

the Director of Education Planning in the Ministry. He has
served in government for over 25 years.

28 EDUCATION newsletter
PICTORIAL BOARD
 Give a man a
fish and you
feed him for a
day. Teach him
how to fish and
you feed him
for his life time.
- Chinese Proverb

BE A GOOD TEACHER!
Leaking exams EQUALS
an untaught society
 LET’S TALK
Private Bag 328, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
info-edu@mail.gov.mw

+265 1 789 422/416

@MinistryOfEducation-Malawi
@MinOfEducation

www.education.gov.mw