About
Malawi
Education
Malawi has an 8-4-4-education system consisting of primary school, secondary school and university education with few opportunities for pre-school.
Primary School
This is the duration of compulsory education. Most children start formal education at primary school at the age of six. Primary school education takes 8 years from standard 1 to 8 at the end of which pupils write the Primary School Leaving Certificate examinations. Students have to pass and get selected if they are to attend a government secondary school.
The introduction of Free Primary Education in Malawi has seen a large increase in the number of pupils going to primary school but this increase in access has also brought about major infrastructure problems and a big decline in quality.
Click here to read a story about the education of a 12 year old boy from Malawi
Secondary School
Secondary school education takes 4 years from Form 1 to Form 4. Students can attend secondary school in public schools run by the government or in private schools. For a long time, secondary education was very restrictive in Malawi but this situation is changing positively due to rapid expansion of private schools as well as government run community day secondary schools.
Students in secondary schools sit two examinations, a Junior Certificate Examination (JCE) at Form 2 and a Malawi School Certificate Examination (MSCE) at Form 4.
University
The Universty of Malawi, opened in 1965, offers a wide range of bachelors degree and a few masters degree courses through its 5 constituent colleges widely spread out in the Central and Southern Regions of Malawi. The recently opened Mzuzu University situated in the Northern Region, offers an education degree course but has plans to open other areas of training in the near future.
Origin and Language
Malawians are mostly of Bantu origin. The major tribes are Chewa, Yao , Tumbuka and lesser ones are Ngoni, Chipoka, Lambaya, Ngonde and Tonga. The three major languages in Malawi are Chichewa, Chitimbuka and Chiyao, all from the Bantu language group. Chichewa, the language of the Chewa tribe, is taught to all students in primary school. There are many Asian and European settlers who mostly live in the cities. In addition, English is an official language and is widely spoken, especially in towns and major cities. Many other languages are spoken on a regional basis, most of them closely related to one of the three major languages.
The People
Malawians are generally very easy-going and friendly to foreigners, it is always a good idea to be aware of local social conduct to avoid embarrassment or causing offence. As in many countries, vocal criticism of the government should be avoided. The handshake is very important, and close acquaintances often continue to hold hands during a conversation. Older members of society are treated with reverence, as are teachers and other respected people.
Eating Customs
When it comes to table manners, a communal bowl of maize meal, and another of meat sauce, are often the only dishes served. The maize is rolled into balls by hand and dipped into the sauce. Cutlery is seldom used but hands are always washed before a meal. Home-brewed beer and water are also passed around from person to person, but other drinks are normally shared.