The European Union funded Skills and Technical Education Programme (STEP) is rolling out a gender responsive and inclusive pedagogy course for deputy principals and instructors in the central and northern region of Malawi.

Gender and Education Specialist for STEP, Jean Munro said the goal of the training is to equip technical instructors with practical skills in gender responsive pedagogy as a way to create inclusive learning environments that empowers students and promotes learning.

“Through the training, the instructors are expected to demonstrate an understanding of gender, identify gender equality issues in the TEVET system, understand institutional approaches to create a safe and conducive learning environment, employ gender responsive pedagogy and practices in classrooms and workshops, and demonstrate a culture of zero-tolerance to gender based violence and sexual harassment,” she said.

The participants are being trained in gender responsive and inclusive teaching methods, instructors and trainee code of conduct and organizing and implementing a TEVET Trainee orientation programme.

One of the participants, Muli Maida, the Deputy Principal for Ezondweni Community Technical College has described the training as an eye opener.

“As an institution, we were still struggling with issues of gender based violence, therefore the knowledge imparted through this training will help us to address the challenge,” he explained.

Maida said his institution has come up with an action plan to brief both the students and the members of staff.

According to Maida, they have also been trained on codes of conduct.

“The codes of conduct for both students and members of staff are helpful, they will help to address issues of discipline at our institution,” he explained.

Taking her turn, administrative studies lecturer at Lilongwe Technical College Celline Burilani said the training will bring sanity to her institution.

“TEVET colleges had different approaches in dealing with gender based violence, therefore the gender based violence training and codes of conduct will bring sanity, she explained.

Colleges that have attended the workshop are; Mbandira Community Technical College, Mzuzu Technical College, Kasama Community Technical College, Ngara Community Technical College, Ezondweni Community Technical College, Lilongwe Technical College and Salima Technical College.

The activity is under the European Union funded Skills and Technical Education       Programme which is partially implemented by UNESCO.