BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Newly recruited primary school teachers under Blantyre Urban Education District have written to the Chief Executive Officer of Blantyre City Council expressing deep concern over the non-payment of their September 2025 salaries.
The group, comprising IPTE 14–17 graduates, said it is disheartening that despite being the first to complete signing and submitting GP1 forms, they have not received their first salary while their counterparts in other districts across Malawi have already been paid.
The teachers said the situation has left them in a difficult position as they depend solely on their salaries to meet their daily needs.
They explained that several follow-ups with the Blantyre Urban Human Resource Office have yielded unclear and unsatisfactory responses, describing some of the statements made by officials as toxic and insensitive.
In their letter, the teachers said they were told that arrears for September would be paid after receiving October salaries and that they would need to claim them later.
However, they expressed fears and doubt over this arrangement, saying that some teachers within the same local council who joined years ago are still waiting for their arrears despite being fully integrated into the system.
They also questioned why the letter from the HR office did not mention the specific offices responsible for processing the arrears or provide a clear direction on how such claims should be made.
Another issue raised by the teachers was the claim that arrears would only be counted from 22nd September 2025, which was stated as the official commencement date for their duties.
The teachers argued that this was unfair because many of them reported to their respective schools as early as 4th September to start preparing schemes of work for Term One.
They said these efforts were part of their duties and should be recognized.
The teachers also expressed concern about inconsistencies in the salary payment system.
They wondered why new recruits in other councils were able to receive their September salaries even though they submitted their GP1 forms later than those in Blantyre Urban.
The concerned teachers questioned whether different local councils operate under different employment policies, saying such discrepancies violate labor laws and the principles of equal treatment for all government employees.
The group further criticized the HR office for relying on WhatsApp messages as an official mode of communication.
The teachers explained that while one HR officer named Kuphuka was added to their social media group to ease communication, this method was unreliable for handling official matters such as salary payments.
They insisted that such sensitive issues require formal written communication that is measurable and time-bound.
The teachers also dismissed the HR’s suggestion that some of them had not yet reported for duty as one of the reasons for the delay in payment. They said this was a form of generalization that could negatively affect those who have been diligently working since early September.
They said any teachers who have not reported for work should be handled individually and not used as an excuse to delay payments for everyone else.
In response, the District Education Manager for Blantyre Urban, Abdulrahman Mdala, issued a formal letter on 3rd October 2025 acknowledging receipt of the teachers’ petition and explaining the reasons for the delay.
Mdala said the payroll system for new staff introductions follows a strict monthly schedule, and although most teachers submitted their GP1 forms around 3rd September, some were received too late to be included in the September salary batch.
He said the delay was not a deliberate act but a procedural issue caused by system-based limitations.
Mdala also stated that updates shared by HR officers through WhatsApp were consistent with internal payroll communication processes, and therefore should be considered valid.
He added that it would not be practical for the office to issue a formal document specifying the exact date for the payment of the arrears because the process involves several other offices, including auditors, finance units, and the Treasury.
Mdala therefore assured the teachers that they would be eligible to claim their September arrears once they have received their October 2025 salaries.
However, he emphasized that only those who officially commenced duty on 22nd September 2025, as confirmed by time registers, would qualify for payment.
He also noted that newly recruited teachers who have not yet started working at their designated stations will not be eligible for any form of salary arrears.
Mdala concluded by appealing for patience, saying the office remains committed to ensuring that all due processes are completed transparently and fairly.
Mdala therefore lauded the teachers for their understanding and cooperation, expressing hope for a stronger working relationship going forward.
Despite the assurance, the newly recruited teachers have maintained their demand for swift action, urging the Blantyre City Council to resolve the issue within 48 hours and ensure that their salaries are processed without further delay.
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