EYE OF CHILD APPEALS TO GOVT & TEACHERS TO “PRIORITISE RIGHT TO EDUCATION”

By Esther Manduwa

One of the country’s child centered organizations Eye of the Child has urged authorities to institute a task force to oversee the current deadlock between government and teachers. 

Eye of the Child’s stand comes as the industrial action by teachers over risk allowance is in its second week.

The organization’s Advocacy, Media and Public Relations Officer Memory Chisenga said, "Teachers should consider resuming work whilst engaging in dialogue with government on the matter."

The Teachers Union of Malawi and government are meeting today to try to end teachers stay away from work. 

"Eye of the Child appreciates various interventions to reach to a consensus but both stakeholders must prioritize children’s right to education," said Chisenga.

She underscored the importance for both stakeholders to be open for dialogue to resolve the wrangle once and for all.

TUM leadership has previously maintained its stand that government is untrustworthy for teachers to go back to work whilst hold talks with authorities.  

Meanwhile Member of Parliament for Mulanje Bale Victor Musowa has threatened to boycott Parliament unless learners return to class.

In his response to the Mid-Term Budget Review Statement on Monday, Musowa said this will be in solidarity with the learners who have failed to attain education since Monday last week due to the deadlock between government and teachers on the issue of risk allowances. 

Musowa said, "It is an insult to people in my constituency to have children out of school as a result of the wrangle which needs immediate address."

The Legislator called on government to give in to teachers demand arguing the three month risk allowances will not be a huge cost as compared to long term impact of having a young generation not meeting right to education.