Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Malawi Voice
Published on 2024-03-09 18:06:12
The Ministry of Education has issued a reminder to all teachers in Malawi to register with the Teachers Council of Malawi (TCM) and obtain a license in order to continue practicing as teachers. According to Ministry spokesperson Mphatso Nkuonera, the registration process for licensing is currently ongoing, and as of July 1, 2024, all unlicensed teachers will be prohibited from teaching in line with the Education Act of 2013.
The Teachers Council, during its second board meeting on December 21, 2023, approved guidelines for teacher indexing, registration, and licensing. These guidelines dictate that both student teachers and practicing teachers must be registered with the council to be able to practice legally.
All educational institutions have been instructed to inform primary and secondary school teachers, Teacher Training College Tutors, Early Childhood Development caregivers, Guidance and Counselling Officers, and Education Administrators to register with the council by June 30, 2024. After this deadline, any teacher found practicing without registration will be in violation of the law, and institutions employing unregistered teachers will face consequences.
To qualify for a teaching license, individuals must have a teaching qualification from an accredited institution, a valid National Identification Card, no criminal record, and specific education qualifications based on the category they are applying for. Non-education qualified individuals are also required to have a University Certificate of Education (UCE) or a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching Methodology (PGDTM). International candidates or individuals with qualifications from other countries must have their qualifications validated by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
Teachers without proper education qualifications are encouraged to enroll in Post Graduate Diplomas in Teaching Methodology (PGDTM) or a University Certificate of Education (UCE) before July 1, 2024.
Registration fees for teachers range from K15,000 to K45,000 for Malawians and US$45 to US$60 for non-Malawians, depending on the level of the institution they teach at. The license fees range from K45,000 to K135,000 for Malawians and US$15 to US$75 for non-Malawians, with the license being valid for three years.
Furthermore, teacher trainees from accredited institutions must pay K15,000 for indexing by March 30, 2024. Additionally, the teaching license will be renewed if the applicant has completed 150 credits of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) from an approved list published by the council, has adhered to the Government of Malawi Teacher Code of Conduct, is not under investigation, and is not involved in political activities.
The Teachers Council of Malawi was established by the government in 2022 in accordance with the Education Act of 2013 to oversee the registration and licensing of teachers in the country and to promote professional and ethical standards in the teaching profession.
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