Malawi: Government to Hire 1,100 Secondary Teachers As Rising Enrolment Puts Pressure On Classrooms

What the report says

Malawi’s government plans to recruit at least 1,100 secondary school teachers as rising pupil numbers strain the education system, AllAfrica reported, citing Nyasa Times. The report, dated July 23, 2026, said Education Minister Bright Msaka SC announced the plan while speaking on the sidelines of Parliament.

According to the report, the recruitment is intended to support the expansion of secondary education and reduce pressure created by higher enrolment following the removal of school-related charges under Malawi’s free education policy. The ministry is also preparing to bring in more primary school teachers, with a particular focus on Standards 1 to 4, where early literacy and numeracy are taught.

Msaka said the government will take on all unemployed primary school teachers, including members of the IPTE 18 cohort, as part of a broader effort to stabilise staffing and improve learning outcomes. The report did not provide a detailed timeline for the recruitment process, budget figures or the number of additional primary teachers expected to be hired.

The development matters because teacher shortages can quickly affect classroom quality when enrolment rises, especially in early grades where large classes may make it harder for pupils to acquire basic reading and mathematics skills. More staffing at both primary and secondary levels could help Malawi manage the impact of free education, though implementation details remain subject to government follow-through.