Auxiliary teachers bring class relief, spark learning turnaround

Seven-year-old Alefa Manuel and Haswell Twaibu, 10, are Standard Three learners at Ntawa Full Primary School in Thyolo whose academic journey has taken a remarkable turn. For three years, since enrolling in Standard One, the two learners struggled to rise above average performance. They found it difficult to read textbooks and solve basic mathematical problems with ease and confidence.

But their story began to change last year. This turning point came following the arrival of an auxiliary teacher, Norah Liabunya, in Standard Three D, where her support soon redefined their academic trajectory. Haswell recalls how Liabunya introduced extra lessons after school, focusing on struggling learners and helping them improve reading and mathematics skills through patient and consistent guidance.

“She usually keeps us after class and teaches us how to read and solve maths in simple ways,” says Haswell. That energy and commitment, according to Haswell, quickly began transforming learning outcomes in their 48-learner classroom. The results have been immediate and visible, with Haswell rising to position one in a class of 48 pupils, while Alefa secured position two during the previous term.

[paywall]

Alefa credits Liabunya not only for academic improvement but also for building her confidence, saying her ability to read has improved significantly and she can now handle books without difficulty. “Madam Liabunya is a good teacher who encourages us to work hard. Personally, she has reshaped my learning experience, and now I can read properly without struggling,” says Alefa.

Liabunya was deployed to Ntawa Full Primary School in September last year and was immediately assigned as the Standard Three D class teacher by head teacher Bothwell Mitambo. Beyond the classroom, she was entrusted with additional responsibilities, including serving as the school’s sports director—a role that further deepened her engagement with learners. The 23-year-old teacher says the trust placed in her by school leadership motivated her to give her best both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities. “I felt challenged to prove myself and contribute meaningfully to the school because of the responsibilities I was given,” says Liabunya.

[/paywall]