Lilongwe, Malawi – An education expert has sharply criticised Malawi’s Minister of Education, Hon. Bright Msaka, over recent policy proposals affecting teachers, saying the minister is failing to consider the harsh realities facing educators in the country.
In a statement, the expert highlighted the difficult conditions under which teachers operate. Many educators earn low salaries that are quickly eaten up by rising living costs and higher PAYE deductions. Classrooms are overcrowded, learning materials are scarce, school infrastructure is often dilapidated, and administrative demands leave teachers with little time for actual teaching.
Despite these challenges, the Ministry of Education recently proposed measures including the abolition of open secondary schools and restrictions on teachers holding other engagements. The expert described these measures as “surprising and disturbing,” arguing that they ignore the economic realities that force teachers to seek additional work to support their families.
“Teachers are not the problem in Malawi’s education system; they are its backbone,” the expert said. “Expecting teachers to survive on patriotism alone, while policymakers enjoy allowances and comforts, is not reform—it is hypocrisy.”
The statement also drew a comparison with doctors, noting that medical professionals are widely allowed to take on private work alongside public duties. The expert questioned why teachers, who also struggle to make ends meet, are being treated differently.
The criticism concluded with a warning to the minister: education reform cannot succeed by punishing teachers. Policies should instead respect, motivate, and fairly compensate educators, who continue to produce results despite difficult conditions.
