The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) on February 15 2016 launched competition and consumer protection clubs for secondary schools in Malawi at a function held at Mponela in Dowa.
The clubs are aimed at inculcating competition and consumer protection values in the younger generation which is key in the overall consumer protection objectives in Malawi.
Speaking during a Teachers’ Colloquium to mark the launch of the school clubs, CFTC Executive Director, Charlotte Wezi Malonda observed that the Commission’s expectation is that through this initiative, students will gain basic knowledge of the Competition and Fair Trading Act and the functions of the Commission.
“These clubs will be disseminating information about the benefits of competition policy to consumer welfare. In turn, this will help create an informed population. The consequential effect of this initiative will be improved efficiency on the market, as well as compliance with consumer protection requirements,” said Malonda.
In their remarks, Education Officer from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ms Melayi Banda thanked the Commission for this initiative which she noted that it will enlighten not only the students, but also the rest of the teachers and education officials.
The launch was attended by over fifty (50) officials from the Central Eastern Division of the Ministry of Education who included Head Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers, Senior Teachers and other officials from the Inspectorate Division of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
At the end of the Colloquium, participating Teachers agreed to come up with detailed action plans for the Clubs.
It is expected that school clubs for the Shire Highlands Division and the Northern Division will be launched in April 2016.