LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) is lobbying parliamentarians to push for National Education Inclusive Policy operational.
CSEC observes that absence of the policy contributing towards low access to education by girls and children with disabilities in Malawi, thehas observed.
CSEC Executive Director, Benedicto Kondowe told The Maravi Post that engaging Parliamentary committees on education and social welfare will help to exercise their oversight function to demand accountability on the policy which is reportedly under development for over seven years now.
Kondowe added that legislators should help push the executive to ensure that the policy is expedited and adopted by cabinet as required under the law.
“It is indeed very concerning. A policy sets a benchmark when it comes to investment.
“In the absence of a clear policy, inclusive education may not be well planned for and well budgeted for. We cannot continue with that pattern,” said Kondowe.
He observes further, “Other challenges affecting inclusive education towards girls and children with disabilities include, among others: limited investment, early marriages, unavailability of specialist teachers and disability sensitive infrastructure, inadequate teaching and learning materials and facilities.
“About 20 percent of the girls in Malawi dropout of school, among many other consequences”.
Kondowe adds, ““If we continue with the trajectory we are in, then we will not be able to achieve sustainable development goal number 4 focusing on inclusive education and lifelong learning under the theme: leaving no one behind.
“And in Malawi, we are already leaving so many people behind, especially girls and children with disabilities”.
In his remarks, Parliamentary Committee on Education Chairperson Brainax Kaisi assured the coalition to follow up the issues particularly on the delay of the National Inclusive Education Policy.
“We will summon the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Ministry of Education, stakeholders and departments and agencies. We want to discuss why the policy is delaying, among other issues,” assures Kaisi
Deputy Director for Inclusive Education in the Ministry of Education Lucy Magagula assures, “Government is working hard” to eliminate all challenges affecting the practice of inclusive education, including expediting the National Inclusive Education Policy whose final draft, she disclosed, is currently at OPC for validation and approval, among other relevant processes.
“Government is also providing resources, among many other things. We have actually noted an increase in allocation of funds towards the procurement of specialized teaching and learning resources”
She added, ““For instance, in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the ministry has been provided with MK1 billion for these resources.
“We procure and supply to ensure a conducive learning environment, especially for girls and children with disabilities”.
CSEC engaged parliamentarians in partnership with Oxfam Malawi, Sight Savers, World Vision and FAWEMA.
