TUM backs govt on graduate teachers

The Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) has backed government for ordering graduate teachers to teach in primary schools.

TUM’s remarks come after over 100 teachers that graduated at Domasi Teachers College have not been posted to new centres despite government’s promise that they would do that in March this year.

Government acknowledges that teachers who were in primary schools, but went for upgrading need to be reposted. It, however, says overstaffing in teachers training colleges (TTCs) is a stumbling block.

“The ministry has been finding problems to promote some of the teachers holding Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education due to lack of vacancies in TTCs,” said principal secretary for Education, Science and Technology Anjimile Mtila Oponyo.

She advised degree and diploma holder teachers to remain in primary schools, but will be promoted to TI and TJ grades respectively.

However, TUM president Chauluka Muwake has backed government for ordering that graduate teachers should stay in primary schools.

“They should remain in primary schools if there are no vacancies in TTCs. This [revision of salaries] is what we are working on,” said Muwake.