Civil Society Education Coalition executive director Benedicto Kondowe has called for a review of the 2026-27 education allocation, saying he hopes Parliament will adjust it during the budget review process, according to Malawi24. Malawi24 reports Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha presented a K10.978 trillion national budget to Parliament on February 27, 2026, allocating education K1.28 trillion, or 11.7 percent of the total, and Kondowe said the allocation was down from about K1.3 trillion, warning reduced funding could affect delivery of key priorities.
According to Malawi24, the budget sets aside K47.6 billion ring-fenced for free primary and secondary education, including secondary school development fees and primary school general purpose fees, plus K11.3 billion for free examinations and student identity cards. Malawi24 reports government also allocated K11 billion for teaching and learning materials, and K45.7 billion for operations of secondary schools and teacher training colleges, while public universities are budgeted at K234.3 billion and student loans and upkeep allowances at K42 billion targeting 40,000 students. The Times Group also reports the budget was pegged at K10.978 trillion when it was tabled in Parliament.