Ministry in re – orientation of Maths, Science teachers in secondary Schools

By Our Reporter

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology says re – orientation of Mathematics and Science teachers in secondary Schools to the curriculum is importantly for effective implementation of the curriculum.

The Ministry says it is aware that well trained teachers are needed in the secondary education sub sector ensuring that every teacher acquires the necessary pedagogical skills and knowledge for the smooth implementation of the secondary School curriculum.

It says among the strategies of improving the quality of education, is provision of quality teacher education and development saying the workshop is very important because it will equip the teachers with the appropriate pedagogical content, knowledge and skills on how to implement the secondary School curriculum.

This is contained in a speech delivered at Chankhanga Secondary school in Kasungu by the Minister responsible for Education, Hon. William Susuwele Banda MP when he officially launched EQUAL Re – orientation workshop of the secondary school science and mathematics teachers to the revised secondary school curriculum.

In his speech, Dr. Susuwele Banda says Professional development of teachers and all those involved in the implementation of the curriculum is a key motivator saying the Ministry continues ensuring that all secondary School teachers have regular in – Service training programmes at all levels.

Dr. Susuwele Banda says education and skills development are one of the five key priority areas in the Malawi Growth Development Strategy( MGDS) 111 with its overall goal of improving quality and relevant education and skills for all.

He says the specific outcomes of the MGDS to which EQUALS Project is aligned include increased access to secondary education, improved quality, relevance of education and management and governance.

” These interventions are supported by EQUALS Project through the World Bank and are in line with the Education Sector Investment Plan( ESIP) strategic priority of improving the quality of secondary education and teacher training,” says Dr. Susuwele Banda.

The Minister says the process of reviewing the secondary School curriculum and assessment procedures started in 2009, one of the main reasons for reviewing the curriculum was to align it with the primary school curriculum which had incorporated issues of assessment.

He says the Ministry oriented teachers in September, 2015 and September, 2017 to the revised junior and secondary School saying the orientation had some gaps that is why the Ministry thought of thoroughly re – orienting science and mathematics teachers this time through the EQUALS Project.

Dr. Susuwele Banda finally thanked the World Bank for the technical and financial support towards the project, appealing to the teachers to the orientation workshop to acquire the appropriate pedagogical content, knowledge, attitude and skills for effective teaching and learning of mathematics and science curriculum to improve learner outcomes.

One of training participant, Mrs. Jennifer Majamanda (nee Mpunga), says the course was very significant as it trains mathematics and science teachers to think critically in solving out difficult problems for effective delivery of teaching and learning.

However, Mrs. Majamanda says some of the topics were difficult to be solved by one and this requires a group for a solution saying this has been a challenge.