Government, partners train over 120 ECE caregivers in Malawi

Government and development partners are training more than 120 Early Childhood Education (ECE) caregivers in Malawi to improve teaching skills and strengthen classroom learning through a three-day programme in Lilongwe.

The training, taking place at Simama Hotel, has been organised by the Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) with support from the Danish Trade Union Development Agency.

Director of Child Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Justin Hamela, said government wants to improve access to quality early childhood education and make caregiving a recognised professional and paid job.

“The policy indicates that caregiving should be professionalised, meaning that caregiving should become paid work,” said Hamela.

He said access to early childhood education in Malawi has increased from 46 percent to about 63 percent.

TUM Programmes Coordinator, Pilirani Kamaliza, said the training is helping ECE practitioners learn better teaching methods through play and practical activities.

“We are equipping caregivers with modern methods that promote learning through play and active participation of children,” Kamaliza said.

Regional Programmes Officer for the Danish Trade Union Development Agency, Sellina Ngei, said strong foundational learning is important for children’s future education, adding that caregivers should be recognised as professional educators because of their role in child development.

ECD National Trainer, Khumbo Kachali Chirwa, said the programme is helping teachers use play materials and activities to make learning easier for children.

“We have learned that using materials and play activities helps children understand better and participate more in class,” said Chirwa.

The programme is expected to train over 120 caregivers and trainers, who will later share the skills in other districts to improve early childhood education standards across Malawi.