By Evance Matola
Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA) and the Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) have applauded the government for fulfilling its promise to abolish fees for both primary and secondary public schools, starting in January 2026.
Speaking to the Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Monday, ISAMA President Wycliffe Chimwendo said the development will ensure equal access to education for all children, regardless of their economic background.
Chimwendo urged private school owners to implement measures that will enhance standards in private schools to maintain their relevance in the countrys education sector.
“I think this policy will assist children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to access education more easily. I do not negatively see this policy, as some think it will take away the private schools market,” Chimwendo said.
CSEC Executive Director, Benedicto Kondowe, said the free education policy demonstrates the governments commitment to ensuring no one is left behind in education.
He noted that the directive aligns with Sustainable Development Goal number four, which emphasizes access to education.
“It shows that government is serious with Malawi vision 2063 especially human capital development. Capital development can only be possible with equal access to education”, Kondowe said.
However, Kondowe urged the government to convene a stakeholders meeting to develop a financial planning and implementation framework for the free education policy, which he said would help avoid crises in managing public schools.
Education expert Ben Navitcha added that free education will increase the number of educated people in the country, which is a catalyst for economic growth.
At this years Mulhakho wa Alhomwe annual cultural festival on Sunday, President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika announced that his government will roll out free public education on January 1, 2026.
