Teacher living in ‘toilet’
A teacher at Kanjedza Primary School in Blantyre is living in an out-of-use toilet due to a shortage of houses at the institution, Weekend Nation can reveal.
But Ministry of Education public relations officer, Mafred Ndovi, on Thursday expressed ignorance about the predicament of the teacher.
The teacher (whose name we are concealing on request) has been living in the toilet for five months such that learners are now calling it ‘nyumba ya sir.’
Confirming the development in an exclusive interview Thursday the school’s head-teacher, Nellie Mkumba, said the teacher has been living in the sanitary facility since he got transferred from Kapeni Demonstration School, Blantyre.
“This school was established in 1960. But it appears government, at the time, overlooked the issue of teachers’ houses. And so, it has remained like that to date,” she said.
Mkumba stated that with the exception of her, all the teachers find accommodation on their own off the institution.
But the concerned teacher arrived at the school around 7pm with his family and personal effects, with no time to look for a house to let.
Mkumba said a decision was, thus, made that he should squeeze himself into the defunct toilet until he identifies a decent and affordable accommodation nearby.
“But now my fear is that this may not be possible anytime soon because houses are scarce and quite expensive around this area. I just don’t know what will happen,” she narrated.
When approached for interview, the concerned teacher just said: “It’s true that I am living in that out-of-use toilet. But I’ve no say on accommodation issues. That’s beyond my jurisdiction.”
But he admitted that preparing lesson plans in a small and poorly ventilated room has not been busy. His family is not staying with him as the room is ‘too small’ to accommodate more than one person.
Ndovi said the ministry was not aware that the problem of lack of teachers’ houses had gone that far.
“I’m going there right away to appreciate the situation for myself because I’m currently in Blantyre,” said the PRO.
But he was quick to rule out possibilities of government intervention, saying: “The ministry didn’t receive a provision for the construction of teachers’ houses in the current budget. So, chances that teachers’ houses may be constructed at the school are remote. Maybe in the next financial year.”
Meanwhile, the teacher has surrendered all his personal effects to friends and well-wishers for safe keeping while looking for a house to let.
too ba
Why to dehumanise himself to that extent? If he has a home let him return home instead of staying in that facility. That’s a big shame both for the teacher and the employers!
Anga nthano ndithu. Nde mkumakana kuti ndife osauka? Zoipa kwabasi. As the other person has said, why can’t he just give up on the job as it is not even healthy/ safe for him. I wonder what quality of service he is providing to the school. So sad that people can sink so low like that as if they can not go and farm in their ancestors’ farms. I pray that he should be wise enough to get himself out of there and go to stay with his family. Am sure that what he gets out of that job is not even enough to earn a living. I believe that something will come on his way once he gets out of there. I would like to thank him though for his selfless life to serve others. May God forgive all the people in government who put development money in their pockects instead of doing the right things so that so many people who are out there suffering shoulld not suffer. You guys should know that there is no peace to anyone who does evil. Putting money which does not belong to you in your pocket is sin. God is watching you. May God bless all the people who are suffering right now because of the few people who think they must be the only ones to benefit from government money.
Smthing is wrong with this teacher,mwina misala bcoz uhav said that some of his belongings anasungitsa so do u mean this person can’t ask to stay with sm 1,send his family to the village til the issue is solved? And u say he arrived arnd 7pm! Wat nonsense! He should have also inquired before his transfer about accommodation and the likes,wat am saying is that he should have gone there physically! Fuck this teacher!
Can we say that head teacher she didnt know the situation surronding this teacher for 5 months?…why dispising teachers these days…munthawi ya kamuzu aphunzitsi amapatsidwa ulemu pamodzi ndi ana awo am sorry to say about KAMUZU koma thats the truth….mundi wuza kuti munthu ndibanjalake kumakhala mu toilet? munthu wongwira ntchito mboma? Abale CHIKONDI TIDZIWONETSANA CHONDE
What crime did he commit that necessitated his trasfer at night? Do unto others as you would them do unto you!
This is an emergency surely? how can this even be allowed to happen?This man obviously wants to keep his job but on earth can he work form a forsaken toilet? They say this is not going as far athe governement but I would like to konw WHAT THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION HAS TO SAY ABOUT THIS? come on on everything is wrong with this! help the man as a matter of urgency and get him even a room to say in! this is barbaric! it should not even be allowed for one more day!
Can I give advice to the teacher. If you go back to your village and start a vegetable garden and sell the vegetables you will make enough money and build a decent houjse for yourself. Why are you working for an ministry which does not respect you?Dont allow to be treated like that. tell them that when they get a house for you you will come back to teach! Infuriating!
The teacher himself is stupid. First he can’t move a place where he has not checked on availability of accommodation. And moreover, he arrives there late in the evening. Upita bwanji kwa eni komwe ulibe malo ogona ndikukafikako usiku? Stupid thinking. He should not have relocated before finding accommodation. When we receive notice of transfer and if we agree, first thing we go about looking for accommodation in that new locality. Secondly, the school administration is bullshit. How can they allow this they should have turned him back. Nothing was beyond there control. I am made to believe this is a staged act and exaggerated for that matter. Sometimes mmene aziphunzitsi amaganizira zimandikayikitsa ngati akuphunzitsa ana athu zinthu zolondola. Mentally this teacher is not upright.