Malawi's 2026/2027 academic year officially commenced on Monday, September 14, with primary schools, secondary schools, and teacher training colleges reopening across the country. According to Malawi24, the first term will run for 14 weeks until December 18, followed by a two week holiday. The Ministry of Education has previously directed that all public and private schools must adhere to this harmonized academic calendar.
As schools reopen, the government's Free Secondary Education Policy is facing new scrutiny. Education expert Ziliro Mchulu has called on the Ministry of Education to review restrictions placed on parental school contributions, reports Malawi24. Mchulu argued that barring parents from funding supplementary activities, such as educational trips, could harm the quality of learning. He suggested that external sponsors should supplement rather than entirely replace parent contributions to maintain educational standards.
Meanwhile, a primary school construction project in Mitundu remains abandoned despite previous funding allocations. According to Nyasa Times, Kadedwa Full Primary School has sat unfinished for years with only partial structures built, forcing local children to walk long distances to neighbouring areas for classes. Community members allege that the project's funds were misappropriated before classrooms could be completed.
In higher education news, National Bank of Malawi has expanded its Mo Excellence scholarship programme to the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. Nyasa Times reports that the bank awarded five scholarships and six excellence prizes to top-performing students on Friday. Bank Chief Executive Officer Harold Jiya stated that the initiative is part of a broader commitment to provide 59 scholarships across multiple institutions, including UNIMA, MZUNI, LUANAR, and MUBAS, to support national development and ease financial burdens on students.