More than 254,000 Standard Eight learners across Malawi began sitting for their Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education examinations on Monday, according to Nyasa Times. Administered by the Malawi National Examinations Board, the tests commenced with an English paper and will conclude on Wednesday with an Arts and Life Skills paper.
To protect the integrity of the testing process, security protocols have been tightened nationwide, Nyasa Times reports. Maneb Executive Director Dorothy Nampota stated that the board is working alongside state security agencies under a three-year memorandum of understanding that runs through 2026. Under this agreement, the Malawi Defence Force is securing storage facilities for examination materials, while the Malawi Police Service is guarding examination centres across the country.
This year's enrollment of 254,486 candidates reflects an increase from the 247,958 learners who took the exams in 2025, according to Nyasa Times. Last year, 216,972 candidates passed the exams, which translated to a national pass rate of 87.5 percent. Male candidates recorded a pass rate of 90.61 percent in 2025, while female candidates achieved an 84.56 percent pass rate.