Teachers stay away strike suspended

Teachers union of Malawi TUM has suspended stay away strike and requested all teachers to resume work from Tuesday 9 March

This follows a meeting summoned by parliamentary committees on education and social and community affairs to resolve the issue of risk allowances between TUM and Ministry of education

Among others the union agreed to drop their initial demand of risk allowance and instead receive funds meant for procurement of their personal protective equipment

The teachers also agreed that once the proposal is endorsed by presidential task-force on covid-19 the task-force will release once off payment for three months effective 8 March 2021

Member of the task-force Inocencia Chirombo told the meeting that the task-force will discuss with relevant authorities to determine how much one teacher would get.

“Once the Ministry of education does an assessment the money will be paid to the teachers in case through the division office,” Chirombo

In his remarks TUM President Willie Malimba said the development is a relief to the country as students will be going back to school

However he asked authorities to implement the resolutions warning that failure to do so will lead to another strike

Commenting education activist has called upon government to strategize on best ways to recover the lost time.

Speaking to Radio Islam Benedicto Kondowe advised government to strike a balance between holiday time frame and that of learning

“Government should consider reducing holiday period, teaching extra time and during holidays,” Kondowe

Commenting on government and TUM agreement, Kondowe commended the move but warned the two sides to genuinely honor their agreements so that children’s rights to education are not affected.