2013 Education Act still in Limbo
Education experts in the country have expressed disappointment over government’s laxity to implement some policies in the 2013 Education Act.
Among others, the Act which replaced the 1962 Act, empowers the Minister of Education to choose a language he or she deems fit as the medium of instruction in schools.
In March 2014 the then Education Minister Luscious Kanyumba announced that English would be used as a language of instruction in early grades in the country’s primary school system to improve English grammar and language among primary school learners.
But two years down the line, teachers in early grades in the country’s primary schools are still using Chichewa and other local languages for instruction.
Some teachers Weekend Nation talked to across the country said they lacked direction in as far as changing the system was concerned whereas others confessed not to be aware of the new policy.
Education expert Benedicto Kondowe from Civil Society Education Coalition (Csec) said government needed to be serious on law matters.
Said Kondowe: “It appears to be a general trend in government that we have laws that are effective on paper and extremely redundant in practice.”
He said policies and laws are formulated to achieve specific intentions and government should make an effort to orient the public and see to it that Malawians are aware of the new laws and understand their duties and responsibilities as laid out in the specific statute or Act on education.
“Up to now, the ministry has not formulated standards that should be followed, for example, punitive measures to parents who fail to send their children to school,” he said.
Another education expert, Limbani Nsapato, echoed Kondowe’s sentiments, but said much as he does not support some changes in the Act, delays in implementing policies which Parliament approved could create a dilemma among teachers and learners and lead to confusion and decline in quality of education.
“It is advisable that government ensures that all necessary ground work is done before proposing any policy change, including the language policy,” he said.
However, Ministry of Education spokesperson Rebecca Phwitiko said the ministry was still revising a number of key aspects of the teaching process, especially on the new language because it requires specific methodology.
Said Phwitiko: “There is need to change instruction materials from Standards One to Four and also align the skills and competencies of teachers to the new methodology.”
She said the ministry will make the necessary communication once these steps are finalised. n
