President Mutharika introduces free School fees in Malawi

On Sunday, President Arthur Peter Mutharika, who has been in office for two weeks in his second non-consecutive five-year term, announced the introduction of free school fees for all government primary and secondary institutions, effective January 2026.

This decision has garnered widespread praise from the majority of Malawians across social and mass media, as they rallied to support their leader's bold move.

Mutharika revealed this initiative while attending the annual cultural heritage ceremony, Mulhakho wa Alhomwe, in Mulanje, in the southern part of Malawi. The event celebrates the Lhomwe tribe, which he belongs to.

He emphasized that school fees have been a barrier preventing many children from accessing education, like a locked door keeping them from a brighter future.

This was one of the key reasons behind the introduction of free school fees, which he described as a "lifeline" for countless families.

Mutharika encouraged parents to ensure their children attend school, stating that education can cultivate better leaders for the future. He urged them to seize this opportunity and not let it slip through their fingers.

Reports indicate that free education in primary and secondary schools is gaining traction across Africa, with approximately 20 countries achieving this goal. Notably, Ibrahim Traore, the president of Burkina Faso, announced free education from primary to tertiary levels in 2023.