There are fears that education standards will dwindle if government delays further in addressing the problem of shortage of teachers in both primary and secondary schools across the country.

Speaking to YFM on World Teachers’ Day which is commemorated on 5 October 5 every year, James Sawerengera, a teacher at Likangala Secondary School in Zomba, said the current average teacher-learner ratio of 1:100 needs urgent action.

“The teacher pupil ratio situation is alarming in both primary and secondary schools as a result teachers do not have time to focus on individual learners,” he said.

Sawerengera has also suggested that continuous professional development workshops should be held in all clusters so that teachers can improve their skills.

He also cited low and inconsistencies in receipt of salaries as one factor that government should look into.

Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) Secretary General Charles Kumchenga concurred with Sawerengera saying government needs to recruit more teachers.

“TUM on the other hand has reminded government to recruit IPTE 13 and 14 teachers who were trained way back in order to address the problem of teacher pupil ratio.

This year’s World Teacher’s Day is being commemorated under the theme, “Teachers at the heart of Education Recovery”.