Lack of Leadership Skills Hindering School Performance
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Director of Teacher Education and Development in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Zizwa Msukuma, has said that the absence of strong leadership skills among school leaders continues to affect the overall performance of schools in Malawi.
Speaking on Monday in Mponela during the official opening of a school leadership refresher training programme for 720 school leaders from Kasungu District, Dr. Msukuma stressed that effective school management is key to improving the quality of teaching and learning outcomes.
“We have Primary School Education Advisors (PEAs), Headteachers, Deputy Headteachers as well as female Section Heads drawn from Kasungu, whom we also engaged last year in a ten-day school leadership training programme to build their capacity to improve learner performance in public primary schools,” said Dr. Msukuma.
He explained that many school leaders in the country assume their positions without formal orientation or training, resulting in gaps that weaken school administration and learner achievement.
Dr. Msukuma further revealed that the Ministry has established Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Coordinators in all districts to ensure that the training of school leaders is sustained and impactful.
He emphasized that through these initiatives, the Ministry aims to equip leaders with the right knowledge and practical skills to foster better learning environments, enhance community participation and drive academic excellence.
One of the participants, Gertrude Shira Banda, who serves as a PEA for Chamakala Zone, expressed optimism about the outcomes of the programme.
“The Ministry should expect high implementation of best practices acquired during the training, which will directly improve learner performance,” she said.
Banda added that before undergoing the training, many leaders lacked key leadership competencies but the new skills gained will enable them to strengthen zonal CPDs and ensure that no educator is left behind.
The Ministry of Education continues to roll out such refresher programmes across the country as part of its broader efforts to raise education standards and promote effective leadership in Malawi’s primary schools.
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