Malawi Secondary School Teacher Education Project (SSTEP) (2000-2007)
Partners
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia
Government of Malawi and Ministry of Education, Malawi
Domasi College of Education, Domasi, Malawi
Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba
Hickling Corporation, Ottawa, Ontario
Funding
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA Bilateral)
Description
The purpose of the five-year project, which received a one-year extension to December 2006, was to establish a teacher-training program for in-service training of selected primary school teachers in Malawi to become secondary school teachers. The teacher-training program was a combination of intensive residency and distance learning. Simon Fraser University's Centre for Distance Education component of the project focused on developing institutional capacity at the Domasi College of Education to develop and deliver the program.
Beneficiaries
Malawi is experiencing a teacher shortage at the secondary level due to the rapid expansion of secondary education in recent years. Immediate beneficiaries in Malawi were selected primary school teachers currently holding positions of Head Teacher or Deputy Head Teacher in Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSS).
Results
- Teacher upgrading program curriculum developed in conjunction with the Domasi College of Education faculty
- Capability of Domasi College of Education to deliver secondary teacher education through a combination of intensive residency course methodology and distance education strengthened
- 900 in-sevice teachers admitted into the program during the three 26-month sessions scheduled to be held during the term of the project
- Management and delivery of education in selected Community Day Secondary Schools, strengthened
- Course authors trained in gender sensitivity and HIV/AIDS education