By Burnett Munthali
Students teachers at the Lilongwe Teachers Training College (TTC) have boycotted classes, citing the government’s failure to pay their field allowances. The boycott has now entered its second week, leaving academic activities at the institution at a standstill.
According to the Students’ Union President, Giveness Mwanza, repeated efforts to push the government to settle the allowances have yielded no results. Mwanza disclosed that while some students received partial payments, others have not been paid at all.
“Each student teacher was supposed to receive 20,000 kwacha per month for six months, but the government has not fulfilled this commitment,” Mwanza said.
The college’s management confirmed the ongoing boycott, acknowledging that students have not attended classes for two weeks as frustrations mount over the unpaid allowances.
In response, Mphatso Nkuonera, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, said the ministry is aware of the matter but asked for more time to consult before providing a detailed statement.
The delay in resolving the issue has drawn criticism, with some stakeholders questioning the government’s commitment to supporting education. Students argue that the allowances are essential for meeting their basic needs during field assignments and that the lack of support compromises their learning experience.
The boycott has raised concerns about the potential disruption to the academic calendar and the impact on the students’ overall training. As tensions continue to rise, stakeholders are calling for urgent action from the government to resolve the impasse and ensure students return to their classes.
