25/10/2025
NEW CURRICULUM: DIPLOMA AND DEGREE A MUST FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS
The Ministry of Education, through the Malawi Institute of Education(MIE), has announced major reforms under a new National Curriculum Framework designed to make education more relevant, inclusive, and skills-driven.
The new curriculum shifts from an Outcome-Based Curriculum (OBC) to a Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), emphasizing practical, demonstrable skills over rote learning. It also revises the school structure from 8–4–4 to 1–6–6–3, introducing a preparatory class, six years of primary education, six years of secondary school, and three years of tertiary or vocational training.
Secondary education will now follow four distinct pathways: Social Sciences and Humanities, Arts and Sports Science, STEM, and TEVET.
As part of the reform, teacher education is also being upgraded. Primary school teachers will now be required to hold at least a diploma, with degree qualifications encouraged, to ensure they can effectively deliver the revised curriculum.
The curriculum aims to align with Malawi 2063, preparing learners for digital innovation, critical thinking, and 21st-century skills. MIE has already completed needs assessment, a national symposium, and curriculum conceptualisation, with syllabus development and teacher training underway.
Implementation will be phased, beginning with selected grades once all teaching materials and training are ready.
Executive Director of MIE, Dr. Frank Mtemang'ombe, said the reform marks a major step toward building a modern, inclusive, and skills-oriented education system that will "equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to build a self-reliant and industrialised Malawi.
Ministry of Education - Malawi
Malawi Government
