The Ministry of Education has warned it will revoke licenses of schools which will be found opened before the official commencement of the new academic year on 16th September 2024.
The call comes amid reports and speculations that some private schools in the country have already opened for the new academic year.
According to Mphatso Nkuonera, Public Relations Officer in the Ministry, despite a prior directive, several private schools have commenced their academic term ahead of the officially sanctioned start date of September 16, 2024.
“The Ministry has learnt with great concern that despite issuing a secular where we stated that the first term of the 2024-25 academic calendar commences on 16th September 2024, some private institutions have already opened, which is seriously contravening the secular that we issued this year,” said Nkuonera.
The ministry has meanwhile, through it’s Public Relations Officer, sent a stern warning to all schools that a breach of the directive risk severe repercussions, including the revocation of their operating licenses.
“We would like to send a warning bell that any institution we would find opened before 16th September would have their licenses revoked because that’s a serious breach to the Ministry’s secular,” added Nkuonera.
In a separate interview, Dr. Ernest Kaonga, President of the Private Schools Association of Malawi (PRISAM), has called for the Ministry to reconsider its stance, particularly for schools preparing students for international exams like Cambridge.
“It would have been fair for the Ministry to consider that some of these schools are working on a different academic calendar due to international exams. For example, Cambridge exam schedules differ from those of local schools. The Ministry should revisit this decision to accommodate these institutions,” Kaonga argued.
In his words, Education expert Benedicto Kondowe emphasized that constructive dialogue between the Ministry and private schools is essential, as the two should work together to provide quality education for all students in Malawi.
He warned that closing schools prematurely could harm the overall education system, especially given the vital role private institutions play in the country.
“My view would be that the ministry must be seen to be engaging with the Independent School Association of Malawi (ISAMA) so that such issues can be clarified and in future be complied with. The association would be able to speak to their members.
“And should that not happen, then the ministry can flex its muscles to close some of the private schools that are not in compliance, because the private schools and government have to be seen to be working together,” said Kondowe.
Schools are expected to open 16th September and close on 20th December for the first term of the 2024/25 academic calendar.
