A Teacher Training School Supported By Planet Aid Opens In Malawi

More than 2,000 people attended the official opening ceremony of the Dowa Teacher Training School in Matanda, Malawi. The college was established through a unique public-private partnership between Planet Aid, the Department of Education, Science, and Technology of the Government of Malawi, the United States Department of Agriculture, DAPP of Malawi, and the Government of Finland. This new training facility will meet the urgent need for qualified educators and move Malawi closer to the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education.

Mr. Kumbo Kachari, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, attended as the guest of honor. In his speech, the Vice President said, "Education is the key to developing human capital, which is the basis of economic development." Countries that have achieved economic development have been able to do so because they have consistently and continuously invested in the development of their human capital. In fact, only countries with developed human capital can effectively meet the challenges of today's competitive global economy.. 

Among the dignitaries who spoke throughout the day was U.S. Ambassador to Malawi Jeanine Jackson. In his speech, Ambassador Jackson emphasized the importance of education through the adage "mapunjiro ndi mpamuvu" (knowledge is power). She continued, “These universities are a testament to the strong cooperation and growing partnership between the United States and Malawi. It reflects the promise of the future.'' The Government of Malawi recognizes that the teacher training college established by Planet Aid and DAPP is a model for educational development and has therefore entered into a cooperation agreement. The aim is to establish and operate a total of six such teacher training centers across the country by 2017. These universities plan to train 1,000 elementary school teachers every year. Dowa Teacher Training College is the third of his six colleges, followed by others in Chilangoma and Amarika. More than 850 students have graduated from the university since its inception, and nearly 800 are currently in training. Construction of a fourth university in Mzimba is well underway and is expected to open in early 2013. DAPP colleges are intentionally located in rural areas, which facilitates the recruitment of students from these areas and helps promote rural development. The college serves as a meeting place for people who live nearby and fosters productive partnerships between the college, students, surrounding schools, and community members.

In addition to training in Malawi's national teacher curriculum, DAPP teacher school students are also trained to work as development workers in the rural areas where they work. At university, they learn the skills needed for a quality education while also receiving training in entrepreneurship, women's advocacy, health and hygiene, and community leadership. PhD students are considered by many to be role models for future generations.

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