Malawi Education Minister Outlines Strategy to Boost Foundational Learning at UNGA
NEW YORK— Malawi's Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa-Wirima, presented the country's comprehensive approach to improving foundational learning during a side event at the 79th United Nations General Assembly on Monday, writes Winston Mwale.
Speaking at the Hyatt Thompson Central Park, Kambauwa-Wirima outlined Malawi's five-pillar strategy to enhance primary education and reduce learning poverty.
The approach includes strengthening teacher support, improving teacher training and deployment, redesigning curriculum, expanding school feeding programs, and embracing digital learning solutions.
"We believe foundational skills are vital for our children to be able to learn and thrive in education and beyond," Kambauwa-Wirima said.
The minister emphasized the importance of political accountability in education reform and called for creating supportive learning environments, empowering teachers, harnessing digital technology, and increasing investment in education.
Kambauwa-Wirima stressed the need for sustainable, government-led programs rather than isolated donor-funded projects.
She advocated for a shift from project-based to program-based approaches to ensure adequate financing and implementation sustainability.
The minister also highlighted Malawi's efforts to introduce preparatory classes in all primary schools to strengthen early childhood education and the ongoing national curriculum review.
The event, organized by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), focused on strategies to build political accountability around foundational learning in Africa.
Kambauwa-Wirima concluded by calling for collaborative efforts to end learning poverty and establish solid foundations in education and human capital development across the continent.
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