Government moves to reduce learning poverty rate

The Ministry of Education is relying on the implementation of the Five-Strand Strategy to reduce the learning poverty rate to 27% by 2030.

Education Minister Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima made this statement on Friday during a ceremony where the government was acknowledging supplementary support from the Norwegian government to Malawi’s education sector.

The Norwegian government has provided $3.5 million through a joint rolling plan between UNICEF and the Ministry of Education.

Wirima noted that Malawi is among the African countries lagging in early education development due to various challenges the country is working to address.

“The learning poverty rate is at 87%, meaning only 13 out of 100 learners can read with comprehension and perform basic mathematical calculations. Our goal is to reduce this rate by at least 27% by 2030,” said Wirima.

She outlined the key components of the Five-Strand Strategy, which includes ongoing professional support, teacher supply and distribution, curriculum redesign, expanding the school feeding program, and digitalizing education.

“Through the Five-Strand Strategy, we are confident that we will see significant improvements in learning outcomes, particularly in early education,” Wirima added.

She also expressed gratitude to the Norwegian government for its support, stating that it would help improve sectors that are currently underperforming.

UNICEF Representative to Malawi, Shadrack Omol, emphasized the importance of the support, saying it would play a significant role in strengthening the foundation of early education, which is crucial to realizing Malawi’s Vision 2063.

Royal Norwegian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission, Frette Allste, reiterated that the education sector is a top priority for Norway, hence their continued support.