Malawi-UK exchange programme benefits teachers
As part of the efforts aimed at strengthening relations between Malawi and the United Kingdom (UK), the British Council has been linking schools in the two countries in a partnership programme that has seen Malawian teachers flying to Britain on exchange visits.
Gift Thakwalakwa, programmes manager for British Council Malawi, said in an interview that the programme has deepened ties between the two countries.
Thakwalakwa said this at Pacific Hotel in Lilongwe recently during a training workshop for 40 teachers benefitting from the programme.
“We have supported 38 partnerships that received grants last year and this indicates long-term progress in our school online programme,” said Thakwalakwa.
Under the programme, Malawian teachers are trained in areas such as global citizenship, building effective partnerships and using information communication technology (ICT) in partnerships.
The partnerships are being enhanced by providing information technology hubs in various districts where teachers learn, practice and polish their ICT skills for use in interacting with the international society.
Currently, the programme, which began in 2006 and is expected to run until 2015, involves 300 schools and over 1 000 teachers nationwide.
One of the beneficiaries of the project, Manasseh Mhango, of Mpondasi Primary School in Mangochi, said he has learnt a lot through the programme.
“I have travelled to the UK, I have learnt different styles of people in these two countries and I have also seen how technology, mainly ICT, simplifies abstract things and makes learning easier,” said Mhango.
