Minister of Education Agnes NyaLonje has admitted that special needs education (SNE) candidates are facing challenges in obtaining better grades in Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSCLE) examinations.
She said this in Lilongwe on Monday when she announced PSLCE examination results and details about the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations resit which started Tuesday.
The minister said out of 1 997 SNE candidates who sat PSLCE examination, 1 382 have passed representing 69.20 percent pass rate, lower than the national 87 percent pass rate.
NyaLonje has since said the ministry has prioritised procurement of SNE teachers both at Montfort Special Needs Education College and Machinga Teacher Training College.
She added that the ministry was reinforcing the construction of SNE-friendly school infrastructure such that all newly-built or renovated structures must comply with SNE-friendly infrastructure guidelines.
Said the minister: “Our Directorate of Inclusive Education is extending capacity building to generic teachers so that they are able to identify and support learners with specials needs.”
Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) board chair Professor Alfred Mtenje said the 2020 PSLCE results were verified as credible by the Maneb board.
He commended Maneb for working tirelessly in releasing PSCLE results amid preparations for the administration of ongoing 2020 MSCE examination.
