Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MoEST) has trained secondary school heads from South East Education Division (Seed) on management and leadership skills.
The training is meant to equip them with skills to handle discipline issues before they escalate into violence and vandalism.
Speaking on Wednesday during the meeting at Likangala Secondary School in Zomba, Minister of Education, Science and Technology William Susuwele Banda said lack of discipline in schools was proving costly to government, the ministry and communities.
“That is because it diverts resources for new development to rehabilitate vandalised structures,” he said.
The minister was optimistic that the head teachers would gain knowledge and skills to prevent chaotic situations in their respective secondary schools.
Seed zone manager Mac Auden Msakatiza asked the ministry to increase the number of teachers in schools to ensure good subject-teacher ratio ahead of government’s plan to construct 250 secondary schools.
Seed comprises schools in Zomba, Machinga, Balaka and Mangochi districts.
Last year misunderstandings between students and school management resulted in violence and vandalism of school property which led to closure of secondary schools such as Thyolo, Lunzu, St. Michaels and Blantyre.
The ministry will also train teachers in other education divisions.
