State House evicts nine teachers
State House has evicted about nine female teachers from Kamuzu Palace Primary School and Kamuzu Palace Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) on grounds that they could compromise the security of President Peter Mutharika.
The houses which some of the teachers have occupied since 2000 are within the State House compound and were allocated to the schools to ease accommodation challenges for the teachers who were posted from far places.
The CDSS teachers have been given until January 1 2015 to vacate the houses while the primary school teachers have until December 31 2014 to leave.
However, the teachers have not received notices of the eviction from the houses, but an official from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology just approached them with verbal notices.
One of the teachers, who opted for anonymity, said they have received an unsigned list of teachers who should leave the houses, but without any justification from a responsible office or ministry.
Said the teacher: “They [authorities] are claiming we are causing insecurity and yet we have been living in these houses for over 10 years now. Why now? And why is it that no office wants to take responsibility for this action? Evicting widows unceremoniously like this?”
The Nation has learnt that the teachers from the primary school are Moira Muliya, Lena Matewere, Mrs Patricia Longwe and Lonely Phiri while the CDSS teachers are Evelyn Kanaventi, who is the deputy head teacher, Stella Mullewa, Maureen Mmame, Ethel Jussa and Jeannette Phiri.
The teachers have threatened that if they are evicted they would not return to teach at the schools, which cater for State House children and those from surrounding locations.
Central West education division manager Joseph Nkhata confirmed that he went in person and informed the teachers of the decision by State House.
Nkhata said his move followed verbal communication from director general of State Residences Peter Mukhito through the security adviser Paulo Chisale.
He said State House explained that the female teachers have been singled out because they had men visiting them who are not known by security officials and could pose a danger to the occupant of State House.
