By Pemphero Malimba:
Student teachers at Lilongwe Teachers Training College (TTC) have boycotted classes for at least two weeks over unpaid teaching practice allowances, The Daily Times has learned.
One of the students, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the allowances were for at least six months.
“We were supposed to receive K20, 000 each month for six months, totalling K120, 000, but some student teachers received half of the amount and some students didn’t receive any amount at all,” he said.
He claimed that the development had affected at least 635 students, all of whom are under Initial Primary Teacher Education 18 (IPTE 18).
“This has affected us a lot because the allowances are meant to assist us in buying basic necessities. Those of us who are less privileged use the allowances to pay part of our tuition fees,” he said.
The school’s acting principal Amos Tambala confirmed the development.
He was quick to direct us to Ministry of Education spokesperson Mphatso Nkuonera for further information.
Nkuonera said the ministry was in the process of rectifying the problem.
“We had a number of challenges we encountered. Some of the challenges are that some of the student teachers submitted incomplete bank details, making it difficult for the money to be transacted into their accounts. Another crop of the same teachers had submitted the wrong bank accounts. So, that was realised and we have done the revisions on the same. The corrections have been done and sent for further action so that they [student teachers] can start receiving their honorarium,” he said.
He then urged the students to return to class.
“We would want to appeal to the student teachers to be calm and allow class progression to continue as we are giving our best effort to have this problem rectified. Very soon, they will start receiving their money because we are aware that monetary issues are very important and that is why our ministry is giving its best effort to have the problem resolved,” he said.
Meanwhile, a notice from school management indicates that the students are expected to undertake module examinations for the current term from December 12 2024.
Meanwhile, Civil Society Education Coalition Executive Director Benedicto Kondowe has said the boycott was a sign of administrative lapses.
“The boycott by student teachers at Lilongwe TTC over unpaid allowances highlights a critical administrative lapse that threatens educational continuity and student morale. The delay in disbursing allowances, despite the ministry’s explanation about incorrect student details, underscores the need for more robust verification processes during registration. Allowances are essential for supporting students’ well-being and academic focus, making timely payments non-negotiable,” Kondowe said.
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