A delay in government funding is straining Malawi's recently launched free secondary education program, as public schools struggle to operate without essential supplies. According to Nyasa Times, the Ministry of Education has yet to disburse K11 billion allocated for the third term of the 2025/2026 academic year, despite classes resuming on April 20. Principal Secretary Ken Ndala attributed the delay to administrative processes tied to the start of the new financial year, noting that Treasury has now released the funds for distribution this week.
The funding gap has drawn criticism from education advocates across the country. Secondary School Teachers Union President Pilirani Kapolo stated that schools cannot purchase necessary daily supplies, while Civil Society Education Coalition Executive Director Benedicto Kondowe warned that such delays severely affect vulnerable students. The free secondary education policy, which began in January 2026, relies on a K31.7 billion allocation in the 2026/2027 National Budget to cover tuition costs previously paid by parents.
In other education news, Malawian schools are participating in a global initiative to protect students from extreme weather. On April 28, the Global Partnership for Education, UNICEF, and Education International released a new toolkit to help policymakers prepare educators for climate emergencies. According to the GPE, the program includes practical readiness measures in Malawi, with schools in the Phalombe District currently conducting safety drills to help children respond to natural disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes.