2.3. Workforce training for inclusive education in Malawi

The NSIE emphasises the need for workforce development to support inclusive education.

A 2016 study found that teachers were generally accepting of inclusive education, but recognised the need for professional development and in-school support including specialised and assistant teachers.102 Teachers have expressed a need for skills to modify or adapt teaching to address diverse learners, and recommended that they should be included in the design of training for inclusive education.103 They also indicated that they wanted more recognition and support from the Government, including better pay and more respect for the profession.104 The NSIE includes “improved teacher education and motivation for inclusive education” as an outcome, though it is not clear what this should look like or how it should be achieved.105

Under the MoEST, the Malawi Institute of Education (MIE) is responsible for curriculum development, continuing professional development for teachers and administrators and teaching materials. As of 2012, there were 33 education specialists among the 176 MIE staff,106 though it is not clear how much technical capacity for inclusive education pedagogy they have. The latest reform of the teacher training curriculum occurred in 2007, led and supported by development partners.

The NESIP outlines concrete plans to construct 14 new teacher training colleges by 2029, as well as a standalone “Teacher Training Institute of Inclusive Education” by 2024. Additional plans to improve capacity for inclusive education amongst specialist and classroom teachers, head teachers and education officials at national, regional and local levels include setting aside resources for:

• Training teachers on the assessment of learners with diverse needs; • Training teachers in inclusive education, Braille, sign language and maintenance of assistive devices for learners with special educational needs; • Promoting continuous professional development for teachers on the use of inclusive education tools in primary education; • Ensuring the provision of teachers and materials specialised for inclusive education.

The plan includes an overall target of enrolling 35,025 teachers in teacher training colleges by 2029 (of which 26,774 at primary and 8,251 at secondary level). Within five years, the Government aims to have 35,000 teachers trained in inclusive education, 27,500 trained in the assessment of learners with diverse needs, 7,500 trained in Braille, 4,000 trained in sign language and 2,800 trained in the maintenance of assistive devices.107 Whilst this suggests positive strides towards achieving inclusion, it is not clear how all these teacher training targets fit together, as there appears to be a lack of harmonisation between the figures in the results framework and the implementation plan.

Institute of Inclusive

Education” by 2024.

PHOTO: FLETCHER SIMWAKA