Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Praises Transformational Education Project for Changing Mindset of Teachers

Malawi-The Transformational Education Teachers as Agents of Change project has been praised by the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu through the Diocese of Mzuzu Education Commission (DOMEC) for its progress in changing the mindset of teachers, writes Susan Moyo.

The project, which was launched last year, aims to help teachers realize that they can change negative situations into positive ones.

During a transformation training in Mzuzu on Friday, project chaplain Fr John Benjamin Moyo explained that targeting teachers was critical because students spend the majority of their time at school.

He believes that for learners to become responsible citizens, teachers must groom them so that they can reach their full potential.

Moyo also emphasized the importance of teachers being able to identify and solve problems at school without relying on other stakeholders.

Moyo said, “Teachers should be able to identify a problem and come up with a solution at the school, making bold ideas a reality without relying on other stakeholders to come in. For instance, some schools have very dirty, poor infrastructure ranging from toilets to school blocks, but these things can be improved by teachers themselves and students with the help of communities.”

Since the launch of the project last year, the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu has seen significant progress in the schools where teachers have been trained.

Fr. Moyo added, “We have seen some changes in different schools. For example, after the training, some schools are planting and caring for trees around the school, and some have mobilized the communities around the school to undertake different developmental projects at the school which was not the case in the past."

Headteacher for St. Peters Primary School in Mzuzu City, Thom Mhango, who attended the training on behalf of his fellow trainees, said that he would impart the knowledge gained to his colleagues at the school.

Mhango said, "Some of us still believe it is the duty of the government, diocese, and other stakeholders to change this at our school without really knowing that some changes can start with us. We hope that this project will improve the situation on the ground."

The training was attended by teachers from more than ten schools under the Central Deanery of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu.

With funding from Umckaloabo, the Diocese of Mzuzu Education Commission (DOMEC¬) is implementing the three-year project, which will complete in 2023.