Teachers given more time on national IDs

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) has extended dates for submitting details of national identification (ID) cards to December 30 2019.

In a statement dated December 25 signed by MoEST Principal Secretary Justice Saidi, he appeals to primary school teachers who have not submitted their ID details to do so before December 30.

The extension comes after thousands of civil servants were removed from government payroll on December 19 for failing to submit details of their ID cards.

Both Civil Servants Trade Union secretary general (SG) Madalitso Njolomole and Teachers Union of Malawi SG Charles Kumchenga said the decision came at a wrong time.

“It is bad timing because December should not have been the month for implementing the decision. We believe there is negligence among some officers on the issue,” said Njolomole.

On his part, Kumchedwa warned that the teachers would down their tools and hold nationwide demonstrations in January if their colleagues do not get December salaries.

“The most affected are teachers under MoEST, said to be the biggest employer in the civil service,” he said.

Government ordered civil servants to submit details of their national IDs to flush out ghost workers.