By Memory Kutengule Chatonda

Blantyre, February 21, Mana: District Commissioner for Blantyre, Alex Mdooko, has advised head teachers from primary schools under Blantyre Rural South West Education Division to desist from chasing learners out of classes because of school development fund and uniforms.

Mdooko made the remarks in Blantyre on Wednesday during the management and refresher meeting with Primary Education Advisors (PEAs), inspectors and head teachers for all primary schools from the division.

Mdooko said no learner in the district should be denied chance to attend school saying the tendency contributes to absenteeism.

“No child should be sent away simply because of failure to pay such funds. You have School Improvement Grants that can be used instead to bridge some gaps. Also, learners coming from poor families should be supported by School Management Committees and Parents Teacher Associations,” he said.

Mdooko cautioned head teachers against giving corporal punishment to learners noting: “This is outlawed and should not be condoned and those punishments that are meted to unruly pupils should not be harmful. If anything a child should be allowed to attend lessons and do the punishment during free time or after knocking off.”

He, therefore, commended PEAs, inspectors and head teachers in Blantyre Rural for improved performance in Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations results where the district moved from number 28 to number 16. 

Mdooko advised authorities to work harder so that the district could move to a single-digit position.

He also appealed for strong collaboration between teachers and members of the community so that together they can reduce absenteeism, early pregnancies which lead to child marriages.

Head Teacher for Naotcha Primary School, Lawrence Msaleni, commended Mdooko for the tips, pledging to take every advice given with seriousness.

Msaleni, who is also Inspector of Schools for Blantyre Rural, said head teachers will continue to dedicate themselves to work to achieve the goals set to promote education standards in the district.

“We pledge to obey the rules and regulations as stipulated in the public service which include discipline,” he said.