Development Media International (DMI) has revealed that 83 percent of children in Malawi are at risk of poor developmental outcomes, with only 35 percent receiving adequate early stimulation at home. The findings were presented on April 14 during a dissemination meeting for the Mwana Early Childhood Stimulation Project in Lilongwe, according to AfricaBrief. Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare Mary Navicha stated that the government has intensified outreach campaigns in response. She noted that strengthening early childhood development is essential for improving long-term education outcomes across the country.
In related education news, the Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) has called on the Ministry of Education to scale up its support for learning in correctional facilities. Speaking on April 13, CHREAA Executive Director Victor Mhango urged the government to provide consistent learning materials, textbooks, and qualified instructors rather than relying primarily on donations. According to AfricaBrief, Mhango's appeal follows the recent selection of eight inmates to pursue higher education at public universities in Malawi. He described their admission as proof of the untapped potential within the prison system.
Furthermore, the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has opened applications for the TAGDev 2.0 scholarship programme for the 2026/2027 academic year. According to official announcements, the initiative targets students across several African institutions, including the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). The application window closes on May 1, with females, refugees, and persons with disabilities strongly encouraged to apply.