By Memory Kutengule Chatonda

Blantyre, January 21, Mana: Ministry of Education, through Malawi Institute of Education (MIE), is engaging the public in reviewing education curriculum for pre-school, primary, secondary and teacher training education institutions to ensure that they align with the Malawi 2063 (MW2063).

Speaking during the consultative meeting on curriculum review in Blantyre on Saturday, Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, observed that existing curricula have become long overdue for review to respond to the current needs of Malawians and aspirations of the MW2063.

“Education curricula drive socio-economic development by setting education standards that aim to equip learners with knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for personal and national growth. To achieve this, the curriculum has to regularly be reviewed so that education contents and goals align to economic prosperity and technological advancement for wealth creation,” she said.

Wirima expressed optimism that the input from the public presented in the consultative meeting will assist in developing a balanced, realistic and relevant curriculum to achieve high standards of education in the country.

In his remarks, MIE Executive Director Frank Mtemang’ombe shared similar views with Wirima on the need to review the curricula to respond to the needs of today, tomorrow and also ever-changing socio-economic landscape.

According to Mtemang’ombe, the curriculum for primary school is reviewed every eight years but the current one has passed over the stipulated years since it was last reviewed in 2007.

“Similarly, secondary school curriculum was last reviewed in 2015, yet it is supposed to be reviewed every four years. Likewise, teacher training curriculum is reviewed every two years, but since 2018 it has never been reviewed again,” he said.

Educationalist Andy Manyondo hailed government for the exercise and urged the authorities to include in the new curriculum inclusive education to enable learners attain full potential in life.

The consultative meeting attracted academia, business tycoons, parents and faith leaders among others.