Malawi study visit 2006

Twelve teachers from across Scotland participated in this LECT study visit - funded by the Scottish Executive - to Malawi from 3-14 May 2006.

Poverty

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. It is the most densely populated country in Africa. Half of the population of 12 million is both poor and food insecure.

Currently 65 per cent of the population is below the poverty line. Poverty and powerlessness intertwine as poverty excludes poor people from decision making and the basic services. Life chances for everyone in Malawi are poor. Five years ago life expectancy was 42 years - now it is 37 years.

Education

Much like Scotland, education is viewed as a means for development and the alleviation of poverty, ie as a means to break the cycle between deprivation and underachievement and to develop skills that contribute to a better society and the global market. As such, education is one of the key areas in the Scotland-Malawi co-operation agreement.

Free primary education (FPE) was introduced in 1994. However, although primary education is free and universal it is not yet compulsory and there still remains many difficulties and challenges associated with its introduction. There are major issues with survival and completion and access by gender.

The difficulties which have arisen since the introduction of FPE are due, in part, to a lack of infrastructure: too few primary schools leading to primary schools with 2000-3000 pupils with 100 to 200 per class.

Conclusion 

The study visit brought home to the participants first-hand the profound and widespread poverty and deprivation in many parts of Malawi. To have in your class undernourished pupils, who are stunted in height by lack of a proper diet, but who are eager to devour education, who see learning and certification as the key liberator is a heart moving and humbling experience.