Malawi Teachers Return to Exam Marking After Government Addresses Concerns
Teachers had demanded improved welfare, revised marking fees, and reimbursement for transport costs.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Secondary School Teachers Union of Malawi (SESTU) expressed relief after the government agreed to address financial concerns, allowing teachers to resume marking national exams, writes Royal Kasiya.
SESTU president Pilirani Kapolo welcomed the decision, saying, "We are pleased with the government's decision to solve our teachers' financial challenges as they are marking the 2024 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations."
Kapolo emphasized the importance of fair compensation for educators.
"It is crucial that our educators are fairly rewarded for their hard work, especially as they continue to provide valuable education and assessment to students," he said.
The union leader urged authorities to better prepare for future exam periods to avoid similar issues.
Ministry of Education spokesperson Mphatso Nkuonera confirmed that all complaints have been addressed and teachers have returned to examination marking centers.
Nkuonera praised the teachers for their approach, stating, "We commend the teachers for expressing their freedom of expression, and ensuring contact and dialogue which are the cornerstone of the ministry."
The resolution comes after a two-day protest led to the closure of St Mary's marking center on Friday, August 23, 2024.
The Malawi National Examination Board (MANEB) had suspended exam marking during the protest.
Teachers had demanded improved welfare, revised marking fees, and reimbursement for transport costs.
The government's swift response and willingness to negotiate have been seen as positive steps in maintaining the integrity of the national examination process and supporting educators.