CSEC lobbies parliamentarians to push for inclusive education policy
Absence of a National Inclusive Education Policy is among many challenges contributing towards low access to education by girls and children with disabilities in Malawi, the Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) has observed.
The coalition, therefore, engaged members of Parliamentary committees on education and social welfare, urging them to exercise their oversight function to demand accountability on the policy, reportedly “under development for over seven years now”.
CSEC Executive Director, Benedicto Kondowe, added Members of Parliament should help push the executive to ensure that the policy is expedited and adopted by cabinet as required under the law.
“It is indeed very concerning. A policy sets a benchmark when it comes to investment.
“In the absence of a clear policy, inclusive education may not be well planned for and well budgeted for. We cannot continue with that pattern,” said Kondowe.
According to Kondowe, other challenges affecting inclusive education towards girls and children with disabilities include, among others: limited investment, early marriages, unavailability of specialist teachers and disability sensitive infrastructure, inadequate teaching and learning materials and facilities.
Consequently, revealed Kondowe, 20 percent of the girls in Malawi dropout of school, among many other consequences.
“If we continue with the trajectory we are in, then we will not be able to achieve sustainable development goal number 4 focusing on inclusive education and lifelong learning under the theme: leaving no one behind.
“And in Malawi, we are already leaving so many people behind, especially girls and children with disabilities”.
Brainax Kaisi, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, said the committee will follow up the issues, especially on the delay of the National Inclusive Education Policy.
“We will summon the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Ministry of Education, stakeholders and departments and agencies. We want to discuss why the policy is delaying, among other issues”.
Lucy Magagula, Deputy Director for Inclusive Education in the Ministry of Education, said the government “is working hard” to eliminate all challenges affecting the practice of inclusive education, including expediting the National Inclusive Education Policy whose final draft, she disclosed, is currently at OPC for validation and approval, among other relevant processes.
“Government is also providing resources, among many other things. We have actually noted an increase in allocation of funds towards the procurement of specialized teaching and learning resources.
“For instance, in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the ministry has been provided with MK1 billion for these resources. We procure and supply to ensure a conducive learning environment, especially for girls and children with disabilities,” she said.
CSEC held the engagement meeting in collaboration with Oxfam Malawi, Sight Savers, World Vision and FAWEMA.
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