Ministry develops education standards

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) has developed a new National Education Standard for both primary and secondary education which will see frequent reviews of the curriculum.

Briefing journalists in Lilongwe on Monday, MoEST Principal Secretary Lonely Magreta admitted that several factors have contributed to dwindling standards of education in the country.

She said: “Over population has also helped to further put stress on the current teachers, the number of qualified teachers is also limited; hence, resources available do not match.

“In addition, the current level of illegal students in secondary schools is further making the problem worse; hence, the reduced education standards.”

According to Magreta, the new standards, which among others involve regular inspection of schools and frequent review of curriculum, aims at creating education opportunities and removing barriers to achievement in all schools across the country, private or public.

In the meantime, in a bid to promote quality and relevant education in response to the Education Act 2013, MoEST has completed new curriculum for secondary schools aimed at improving how education system is delivering.

Government has since procured teaching and learning materials known as mobile laboratory for the secondary schools.

Speaking in an interview later, MoEST spokesperson Manfred Ndovie explained that so far their ministry has already procured learning materials in terms of mobile laboratory.