Cunima blames govt on slow graduates recruitment
The Catholic University of Malawi (Cunima) on Saturday expressed concern that government is slow in recruiting graduates from the college, a thing that results in them being absorbed into private schools.
The institution’s vice-chancellor Professor Anaclet Phiri made the observation during the graduation of 183 students at its campus in Chiradzulu.
“I want to express concern that government is slow in recruiting graduates from the college and this results in most of them teaching in private schools,” said Phiri.
Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) has backed Cunima, accusing the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of lacking seriousness on the recruitment exercise.
TUM president Chauluka Muwake said in an interview yesterday that his union has made a number of contacts with the ministry, but has shown no willingness to act.
“There are many primary school teachers in community day secondary schools. We have raised this with the ministry many times, but it seems they are not interested. Maybe they do not want to uplift education standards in the country,” said Muwake.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Luscious Kanyumba, who was at the ceremony, expressed worry with the situation, saying it could be that the ministry is not being advised accordingly.
“I fail to believe that many CDSSs are manned by primary school teachers yet graduates rot (are jobless). Are ministries being advised properly? Advise us accordingly because if we leave graduates to rot, people will see no reason of sending children to school,” said the minister.
Principal secretary for Higher Education Patrick Kabambe, who was also present when the vice-chancellor made the complaint, said he does not deal with recruitments in secondary schools and the ministry’s spokesperson Rebecca Phwitiko could not be reached.
In his address, Cunima chancellor Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza said investment in education brings more interest.
During the event, a minute of silence was observed in memory of Edwin Meleke, deputy vice-chancellor responsible for finance, who died on Easter Sunday.
