Malawi National Commission for Unesco acting deputy executive secretary David Mulera says about 60 percent of learners in the country lack basic literacy and numeracy skills.
Highlighting the concern in Lilongwe last week during a national conference on non-formal education, he warned that many learners leave the formal system without basic skills.
Unesco is calling for more action in the education sector to improve numeracy skills. | Nation
“This means many adults are emerging from the education system without essential skills. We must strengthen community and lifelong learning initiatives to bridge these gaps,” said Mulera.
Stakeholders at the meeting said addressing the literacy deficit and high dropout rates is critical for achieving the country’s long-term development targets as espoused in Malawi 2063.
Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Principal Secretary Oliver Kumbambe said non-formal education programmes such as adult literacy and early childhood development play a crucial role in empowering people who missed out on formal schooling.
“In Malawi 2063, we want every citizen to contribute meaningfully to nation-building. Non-formal education programmes are essential in bridging numeracy and literacy gaps, but they require support from both government and international partners to succeed,” he said.
Kumbambe said the government is implementing several non-formal education initiatives across the country, including adult literacy and early childhood programmes aimed at promoting inclusive participation in socio-economic development.
Meanwhile, experts say systemic challenges continue to undermine progress.
Education rights activist Limbani Nsapato said high dropout rates leave many learners without the skills needed to succeed.
“Many students leave the system before acquiring literacy and numeracy skills,” he said, attributing the problem to shortages of teaching materials and qualified instructors.
Nsapato also cited chronic underfunding, noting that non-formal education receives less than three percent of the national education budget.
On his part, Civil Society Education Coalition executive director Benedicto Kondowe said addressing the root causes of school dropout, such as child marriage and child labour, would reduce the need for remedial interventions later.
“Prevention is more sustainable than remediation,” he said.
The conference, held under the theme ‘Unlocking the power of non-formal education in transforming lives to foster sustainable development’, also reviewed progress of the Bridge programme launched in 2010 with support from the Korean government and Unesco.
