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Landmark Higher Education Overarching Bill Nearing Completion

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Landmark Higher Education Overarching Bill Nearing Completion


By Elywin Chighali Mhango

In a pivotal development setting the stage for a groundbreaking shift in the higher education landscape, the Ministry of Education is meticulously crafting the final touches on the long-awaited Higher Education Overarching Bill. Marking a crucial turning point, this proposed legislation is poised to revolutionize the educational sector by streamlining operations and instilling a unified framework for all institutions to abide by.

In a recent consultative meeting convened to propel the bill towards its ultimate enactment, Director for Higher Education, Dr. Levis Eneya, standing in for the Secretary for Education, fervently underscored the significance of this legislative milestone. Dr. Eneya emphasized that the imminent act is primed to usher in a new era of coherence and order within the higher education domain, ensuring that every institution operates under a single guiding compass.

The consultative gathering convened a distinguished array of key stakeholders, including the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB), the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), as well as representatives from both public and private universities and colleges. Addressing the assembly, Dr. Eneya articulated that the genesis of the Higher Education Overarching Bill is a response to a pressing need for standardized practices, citing instances where universities have operated without requisite quality benchmarks.


Underlining the directive from the President to fortify educational quality assurance measures, Dr. Eneya reiterated that the bill aims to enforce stringent standards, ensuring that no academic institution commences programs lacking in proper accreditation. The core goal remains to safeguard and enhance the quality of education across the board.

Professor Wales Singini, Chair of Vice Chancellors and Vice Chancellor of Mzuzu University, echoed Dr. Eneya’s sentiments, highlighting the regulatory challenges posed by non-compliant private institutions. He commended the Ministry of Education for championing this landmark initiative, lauding it as a transformative stride towards a standardized and regulated higher education environment. Professor Singini emphasized that public institutions, obedient to the guidelines outlined by the Higher Education Board, exemplify the benefits of a unified regulatory framework.

As the Higher Education Overarching Bill inches closer to realization, anticipation brews within the academic sphere, heralding a new dawn of harmonized standards and fortified educational governance. The stage is set for a paradigm shift in ensuring the quality and integrity of higher education across the nation.

Malawi, Mozambique  to find lasting solutions on Makanjira border wrangle

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Malawi, Mozambique  to find lasting solutions on Makanjira border wrangle

By Linda Kwanjana

The Government of Mozambique has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the Government of Malawi for the benefit of people from the two nations.

The remarks were made on Friday at capital hill in Lilongwe when the  Mozambican  High Commissioner to Malawi Alexandre Herculano Manjate paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Homeland security Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma.

According to Manjate,the bilateral relationship between Malawi and  Mozambique is of great importance for the growth of people from both nations.

Hon Zikhale and  Mozambican Alexandre Manjate

Manjate  stressed that the two nations share common boundaries which is the  important aspect in spearheading security , cooperation and co- existence of both nations.

He said the two nations are on high level discussions  bordering on  the issue of  exchange of prisoners as well as issues of boundaries.

“The two nations are considering coming up with a deliberate strategy to help offenders of lesser crimes to serve  sentences in their respective countries.

We need to also look into the issue of border wrangle at Makanjira,as we have engaged traditional leaders from both sides on how best we can resolve the matter,” High commissioner explained.

On his part, Homeland Security Minister Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma  described the bilateral ties between Mozambique and Malawi as fruitful and beneficial, as for a long time the two nations have enjoyed a robust co-existence and cooperation.

Ng’oma further disclosed that in his capacity he will be engaging with the Mozambican counterparts to find a lasting solution on the border tension at Makanjira in Mangochi district.

The Minister also highlighted the need to deal away with the issue regarding the ill-treatment of Malawian track drivers in Mozambique.

“Our drivers are being tortured in Mozambique,so we are working hard to find ways of dealing away with the vice and I believe our bilateral relationship can help  to curb the vice,” he said.

Malawi and Mozambique have a bilateral relationship that among others focused on the key areas like trade, security and development among others.

SPAESHA Project to Influence New SHNHA Policy Development for Improved Learner Health and Nutrition”

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SPAESHA Project to Influence New SHNHA Policy Development for Improved Learner Health and Nutrition”


By Elywin Chighali Mhango

In a bid to enhance the quality of education and address critical health and nutrition needs among learners, the Ministry of Education in Malawi is set to embark on the development of a new comprehensive School Health Nutrition HIV and AIDS (SHNHA) policy. The Deputy Director for SHNHA, Maureen Maguza Tembo, highlighted the pivotal role played by the Strategic Planning Advisors for Education and School Health in Africa (SPAESHA) project in shaping this upcoming policy revision.

The recent closeout meeting in Mponela, Dowa marked the conclusion of the SPAESHA project, a two-year initiative spanning from 2022 to 2024. Through qualitative research and detailed analysis, the project has provided valuable recommendations aimed at improving learner health and nutrition within the educational system.

Deputy Director Maureen Maguza Tembo



Maguza-Tembo emphasized the importance of considering various crucial factors in policy development, such as ensuring equal access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities for learners with special needs and addressing disparities in school meal programs across different institutions. These key areas are to be thoroughly reviewed and addressed in the upcoming policy revision process.

The SPAESHA recommendations encompass a wide range of initiatives, including the training of education staff on pandemic and epidemic preparedness, standardization of healthcare services in schools, bolstering school meal programs in food-insecure regions, and enhancing the capabilities of district School Health Nutrition coordinators.

In acknowledgment of the collaborative efforts involved, Dr. Chakufwa Munthali, Director of Programs Operations, Partnerships, and Awards Management at Save the Children International, commended the Ministry of Education for their dedication and support throughout the project’s implementation. He expressed gratitude for the ministry’s commitment to integrating the SPAESHA recommendations into the revised SHN policy and reiterated Save the Children’s unwavering support towards addressing identified gaps.

The gathering at the closeout meeting included strategic partners from various sectors, including the Ministries of Gender, Agriculture, and Health, alongside SAVE the Children International, USAID, and representatives from academia. The collective commitment displayed underscores a shared goal of fostering a healthier and more conducive learning environment for students across Malawi.

As Malawi redefines its approach to school health, nutrition, and overall well-being, the SPAESHA project stands out as a collaborative effort paving the way for a more holistic and inclusive educational experience.

Ministry develops IMS to improve trade

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Ministry develops IMS to improve trade

By Kondwani Kandiado

In a bid to promote trade between Malawi and other neighboring countries, the Ministry of Agriculture is developing a single software solution to help the ministry develop and install a modern Sanitary and PhytoSanitary information management system(SPSIS).

The project is being done by Southern African Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP) with Mauritius Network Services (MNS) as the consultants.



Among other things, the project seeks to help the ministry install a fully functional and modern information management system to improve processes associated with management of import and export of plant and animal goods at the department of agriculture research and department of animal health and livestock.

Speaking in an interview in Mponela – Dowa during the SPSIS Malawi Java training, Chief Systems Analyst in the ministry of Agriculture, Gift Kalilangwe said the training will help speed up the processes of issuing permits and improve  trade between Malawi and neighbouring Tanzania and Mozambique.

He said: “The time it takes for a common man to get a certificate from institutions takes long and this project aims at streamlining the processes that will be undertaken so that less time is taken to access them. It will eliminate the need for traders to visit department of research and animal health.”

He said improved access to permits will help promote import and exports for the country which he said will eventually help boost revenue for the country.

One of the participants, Wongani Gwazayani who is also Principal ICT officer from department of Agriculture Services said the training will help them manage the SPS system better.

“When the system is handed over to us we should be able to manage and sustain it to help Malawians do trade and get permits and certificates online,” she said.

Technical Architect from Mauritius Network Services Limited, Yoven Ayassamy said in an interview that the training would help them work together with African countries including Malawi as partners to help implement the project.

“We would like to work together with Malawi because we see a lot of opportunities in Africa and a lot of projects that need to be developed,” he said.

The SPS system is a web-enabled application that allows traders to access a single portal to prepare and submit applications to various regulatory certificates and permit institutions and support the approval  and processing of business operations.

The system also helps in protection against falsification of trade  documents.

Pic: Some ICT experts during the java training session.
END

MCP invitation to UDF Convention angers UDF members

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MCP invitation to UDF Convention angers UDF members

By Vincent Gunde

United Democratic Front’s (UDF) members have expressed their deepest shock and dismay over a decision reached by their National Executive Committee (NEC) members to invite MCP as visitors at the party’s Elective conference on 3rd October, 2024.

The members have claimed that the UDF has a good history of championing democracy in Malawi ousting the party of darkness out of government in 1994 and the same darkness has fallen on the faces of UDF NEC members to invite darkness to its convention.

Muluzi

Many of the UDF supporters are suspecting that the decision to invite the MCP to the UDF convention was influenced by the party’s President Lilian Patel arguing that Atupele Muluzi is outside of the country in Dubai.

Showing anger in various social media platforms, some UTM members have warned the party’s NEC to rescind the decision for the MCP not to attend UDF Convention saying if the party insists on their earlier invitation to the MCP, they risk to be stoned.

The members have vowed never and ever shall the UDF be a partner of the MCP observing that the MCP is not a reformed party besides having the new leadership of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera saying its activities are always done in darkness.

They have asked the UDF NEC to return the money they have pocketed from the MCP or eat the money in silence and this should be in a no way be a trap to the UDF supporters to follow the decision reached by its NEC to invite MCP as their invited guests.

“Malawians voted the MCP out of government for committing various atrocities including throwing those speaking against it into the Shire River as crocodile meat, today, we don’t want to be crocodile meat to them,” said one in a vocal voice.

Speaking through an audio clip circulating in various social media platforms, political activist Bon Kalindo, has called on the UDF leadership to think twice on the decision reached for the party and Dr. Bakili Muluzi-the Founder of the UDF to be respected.

Kalindo has asked UDF diehards to put their house to order claiming that MCP money is exchanging hands at the time that Malawians are in pain and suffering under the MCP and President Chakwera reminding Malawians of Atupele Muluzi’s words that President Chakwera has no experience in government.

He has again invited Malawians who wants to receive free money to join the MCP claiming that 9 DPP MPs are on their way to join the MCP, activists and musicians have been attracted in a quest to silence all for a one-party state and dictatorship.

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