220 adult literacy instructors want their arrears settled

About 220 adult literacy instructors in Nsanje District have asked the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare to pay them their arrears dating back to 2017.

Speaking on Saturday during the training of instructors organised by Nsanje District Council with funding from Concern Worldwide, one of the instructors, Mary Bello from Mpangira Village in Senior Chief Malemia’s area, said life was difficult without receiving the honoraria.

“Despite working hard, government is not paying us, yet we just as important as teachers in primary schools,” she said.

Nsanje District Council chief community development officer Patrick Supuni admitted that the instructors are yet to receive their arrears, but referred us to the ministry for more information.

In a separate interview, Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare deputy director responsible for adult literacy education Charles Nkunga said he was aware of the development.

He said: “About 9 633 instructors in the country are yet to receive their arrears from 2017 to 2019 as they have not been cleared by the National Audit Office.

“As soon as the office verifies and issues a pay certificate for the arrears, they will be paid. That process is underway.”

Civil Society Education Coalition executive director Benedicto Kondowe asked government to pay the instructors their outstanding arrears.