USEFUL INFO - EDUCATION

Government Schools

Schools in Malawi generally follow the British system of primary, secondary and higher levels of education. Primary education in Government assisted schools is free, while nominal fees are charged for secondary education. There are many unassisted schools, which are financed by private individuals, voluntary contributions and missions.

Control of education, including mission schools, is in the hands of the Ministry of Education. Attendance is compulsory for eight years at the primary level. Secondary education lasts for four years. Projected adult illiteracy rates for the year 2000 stand at 39.7% (males, 25.5%; females, 53.3%). As of 1999, 69% of primary-school-age children were enrolled in school. Most children in remote rural areas do not attend school. As of 1999, public expenditure on education was estimated at 4.6% of GDP.
In 1996, Malawi’s 3,706 primary schools had 2,887,107 pupils and 49,138 teachers, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 59 to 1. Secondary schools had 141,911 students and 3,172 teachers in the same year. The pupil-teacher ratio at the primary level was 46 to 1 in 1999. The University of Malawi, inaugurated at Zomba on 6 October 1965, has four constituent colleges at Zomba, Lilongwe, and Blantyre. A new medical school was established in Blantyre. In 1996 there were 531 teachers and 5,561 pupils at the University and equivalent post-secondary institutions. Females accounted for only 30% of university students. In 1996 females accounted for 18% of secondary students.

Designated Primary & Secondary Schools

Children of expatriates and foreign mission personnel usually attend any one of the designated Schools Board facilities either in Blantyre, Zomba or Lilongwe. Classes in these schools tend to be small and the standard of teaching generally high. The majority of the staff are expatiates and each school has a Parent-Teacher association. The schools follow the three-term pattern Sept-Dec, Jan-Mar and Apr-July.

Primary Schools

Bishop Mackenzie and ABC – Lilongwe
St. Andrew’s – Blantyre
Hillview – Limbe
Sir Harry Johnston – Zomba
Phoenix Primary School
Mount View Primary School
South End Primary School

Secondary Schools

  • Bishop Mackenzie and ABC in Lilongwe which offers the IGCSE course and IB Programme

  • St. Andrew’s in Blantyre which offers the A level Programme. Boarding facilities for both girls and boys are available only at St. Andrew’s for 50 primary and 180 secondary pupils.

  • Kamuzu Academy, Malawi’s sole grammar school, situated in Kasungu.

  • Kindergartens are available in all major towns.
The school fees are extremely high, even by North American and European standards. Both tuition and boarding charges can be paid in Kwacha. In addition to the above institutions, the Lilongwe Private School offers primary and secondary level teaching leading to the GCSE Level. The Central High School in Blantyre offers both `O’ and `A’ level schooling. Tuition fees at these schools are substantially lower than at the “Designated” Schools.

Higher Education

The University of Malawi is divided into five constituent colleges:

1. Chancellor College

3. Zomba, with degree courses for most of the arts and science subjects

3. The Malawi Polytechnic and the College of Medicine in Blantyre

4. The Bunda College of Agriculture

5. The Kamuzu College of Nursing in Lilongwe and Blantyre.

Resident expatriates can enroll in the University through an application process. Applicants may have to sit for an entrance examination.