|
|
|
|
| Opinion |
| Editorial |
|
by
Editor, 12 June 2006
-
07:04:26
|
Do more Mr. Vice-Chancellor
It is good that University of Malawi (Unima) Vice-Chancellor Zimani Kadzamira has come out in the open—to admit that there are more junior lecturers than experienced hands in Unima.
It is also good that he has asked the few experienced dons to play their part, by mentoring the young, inexperienced lecturers. We also know that it has always been part of the senior lectures’ responsibilities to drill staff associates and assistants lecturers on preparation, presentation as well as research as they embark on their long university teaching careers. But from the look of things, it seems the system faltered along the way.
Which is why the Vice-Chancellor’s reminder brings fresh hope to all that look forward to the University for a good tertiary education.
However, it is worrying that Professor Kadzamira did not delve into the substantive problem affecting his institution. As many University dons and education activists have said before, there is more to the university’s woes than the multitudes of inexperienced lecturers cited by the Vice-Chancellor.
What, for example, makes experienced hands not stick around? Poor pay, poor perks and/or uninspiring conditions of service—and this is a fact.
We would have therefore loved to see the Vice-Chancellor take the debate further, especially on how he—as a relatively new broom at University Office and probably the most experienced lecturer, and veteran higher education administrator—intends not only to recruit the best brains but also how to maintain them for the good of the institution.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
