The government of Malawi signed a memorandum of understanding with the non-governmental organisation World Bicycle Relief on Wednesday to distribute bicycles to secondary school students, according to Ecofin Agency. Signed in Lilongwe, the partnership aims to improve school access by addressing the transport and distance barriers that limit attendance, with a specific focus on supporting girls who face long daily commutes.
Education Minister Bright Msaka stated that the bicycles will help students arrive punctually and maintain their motivation, as long travel times frequently disrupt class attendance. World Bicycle Relief has been active in Malawi for nine years and has already distributed over 100,000 bicycles nationwide, including 35,000 through its ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ecofin Agency reports.
The initiative arrives as the country works to accommodate a growing student population following the rollout of the Free Secondary Education Policy in January. Education Secretary Ken Ndala noted that the introduction of free education has eased financial pressure on families and boosted secondary school enrollment, which rose by 10.9 percent to 538,800 students in 2024. Ndala added that the ministry's current priority is to ensure higher daily attendance rates and stronger student retention across the country.