In her speech, Minister Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima expressed his delight at the establishment of the Teachers Council of Malawi, calling it a long-awaited and pivotal moment for the education sector.

She congratulated Associate Professor Joseph Chimombo and all council members for their appointments and emphasised the council's crucial role in promoting professional and ethical standards among teachers.

"The Teachers Council of Malawi has been established with an Act of Parliament, the Education Act of 2013, to regulate the teaching profession in Malawi," she stated.

"It will promote professional and ethical standards in the teaching profession through fair and transparent regulations, and it stands to make a huge difference in the quality of teaching in our schools and colleges."

Minister Wirima acknowledged the challenges that the education system had faced due to the lack of regulation in the teaching profession.

She highlighted issues such as unqualified teachers, misconduct, and malpractice that had persisted for years.

The establishment of the Teachers Council of Malawi would bring the teaching profession in line with other regulated professions like medicine and law.

"The time is gone where we will just wake up and become teachers; we have to earn it, we have to be licensed," Minister Wirima emphasised.

"This noble profession must be respected; therefore, the Council has a very critical role to play in sanitising the teaching profession."

Minister Wirima stressed the importance of education in the nation's development, referring to Agenda 2063, which highlighted the significance of well-educated and skilled human capital for economic growth and prosperity.

She assured that the government would continue to train qualified teachers, maintain appropriate student-teacher ratios, and support professional development programs.

"Teachers play a significant role in the upliftment and transformation of our society," Minister Wirima said.

"Therefore, the government will forever support you in this noble duty."

Wirima encouraged aspiring teachers to join the profession, emphasizing the rewarding nature of teaching and the opportunity to shape young minds and impart lifelong skills to children.

The minister concluded the ceremony by officially launching the Teachers Council of Malawi and expressing confidence in the council member's ability to carry out their duties effectively.

The establishment of the Teachers Council of Malawi marks a significant milestone in the country's education sector, as it aims to enhance the quality of teaching, ensure professionalism, and ultimately contribute to the development of Malawi's future generations.

(By Winston Mwale – Africa Brief)