Link for Education Governance (LEG) has appealed to the government to allocate more funds to the education sector in the 2018/19 budget to address enormous challenges facing the sector.

While commending the government for its efforts in the education sector, LEG underlined that the sector has more pressing needs including inadequate teachers, classroom blocks and low access to government loans among students in public universities.

“For example, the primary pupil qualified teacher ratio of 80:1 is much higher than the policy target of 60:1. The primary pupil classroom ratio of 116:1 is higher than the policy target of 90:1 and higher dropout rate for girls.

“The situation is worse at school level with some classes of 159 pupils being taught by a single teacher,” a statement signed by LEG Executive Director Lydia Fuliwa reads.

LEG also expressed concern over the plight of teachers in the country.

“The incentive package for teachers is very low punctuated by low salaries, delayed payment of salaries, limited opportunities for promotion and continuous professional development.”

On public colleges and university’s education, LEG called upon government to ensure that all needy and deserving students have access to government loans to successfully complete their studies.

“Currently is it saddening to read reports of many needy students struggling to pay for their university education because of lack of financial support.”

The organization also reminded government to walk the talk on its commitment related to staff salaries and other services in public universities.

The statement was in response to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) which was delivered by President Peter Mutharika on May 4, 2018 during the opening of the 3rd meeting of the 47th Session of Parliament in Lilongwe.