GOVERNMENT- TUM SETTLEMENT TO SUSPEND THE ONGOING TEACHERS’ STAY AWAY
Lilongwe — Tuesday, 9th March, 2021
We, at the Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC), welcome the decision by the Government and Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) to amicably settle the dispute. We believe that the decision to suspend the stay away pending the determination of the cash equivalent provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to teachers is not only progressive but also upholds the right to education of the learners.
While commending the two parties for agreeing on basic principles, we wish to advise them to show restraint in withdrawing from the settlement. In this case, we implore the two parties to continue with the dialogue in good faith, and in pursuit of the right to education of the learners who have already wasted three weeks.
Thus, moving forward, we urge government to be proactive in resolving concerns of teachers to avoid disruptions that are becoming unprecedentedly pervasive, and ripping off the gains we ought to be making in the education sector. The issue of risk allowance is just one of the many issues that teachers have raised to government otherwise, we expect government to be on course in resolving issues of promotion, arrears, review of salaries and recruitment of teachers.
In addition, we urge TUM as a CSEC affiliate to unify teachers in the country by complying with the expected norms of corporate governance. For improved conditions of service and quality education in Malawi, we need TUM that is professional, objective and pursuing balance between teachers’ and students’ interest.
Recognizing the pivotal importance of protection of teachers and students during the reopening of schools, we wish to categorically warn government
against ignoring the interest of the students in the settlement. We therefore seek to advise government to ensure that PPEs intended for the students have been provided. In the same breadth, we are of the view that government commitment for the make shift and provision of tents to decongest the schools should be expedited.
In order to ensure that teachers are using the cash equivalent for procuring PPEs, government should provide proper guidance to the school administrators to foster compliance with the set protocols for Covid-19. For proper accountability, we urge government to directly transfer the funds to the teachers’ bank accounts or through other acceptable means rather than through third parties. In addition, teachers without PPEs should not be allowed to teach or interact with the students and fellow teachers as doing so, might pose a huge risk to the students as well as fellow teachers. This is the case because some teachers might opt to use the money for other things other than procuring the PPEs.
In conclusion, CSEC acknowledges the intervention by the Joint Parliamentary Committees for facilitating the settlement. For once, our Parliament has discharged its oversight function by intervening where government wheels are immovable. Congratulations to the Joint Committees of Education, Social and Community Affairs and Trade, Industry and Tourism.
