Refrain from misconduct, TUM tells teachers

Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) secretary general Denis Kalekeni says teachers should refrain from misconduct that disturbs learners’ interest in education. He said the conduct exposes pupils to child labour once they drop out.

Kalekeni made the remark on Tuesday during an orientation meeting of head teachers on Scream programme under Arise project in Dowa District. The programme equips teachers with skills to reduce the dropout rate thereby contributing to the fight against child labour.

“It is unfortunate that at times teachers are perpetrators of child labour through corporal punishments, teachers’ absenteeism and sexual harassment of female pupils. Such conducts force learners to drop out and get exposed to child labour in communities,” said Kalekeni.

Dowa district education manager Joseph Mwasikakata hailed TUM for the training, saying teachers have been empowered to tackle child labour rights from schools to communities.
The Scream programme is implemented with funding from International Labour Organisation (ILO) through Japan Tobacco International (JTI) Company in 45 selected primary schools in tobacco-growing districts of Ntcheu, Lilongwe and Dowa where child labour cases are rampant. 