In a compelling demonstration of rehabilitation through education, 87 inmates from six correctional facilities across Malawi began sitting for the 2025 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations, which commenced earlier today.
According to the Malawi Prison Service (MPS), this year’s candidates include 13 young offenders and two female inmates. Examination centers have been established at Zomba, Blantyre, Mzuzu, Mzimba, Lilongwe, and Bvumbwe prisons.
“This year, we’ve seen a slight increase in the number of candidates — from 84 in 2024 to 87 in 2025,” said Steve Meke, Public Relations Officer for MPS, in an interview with Malawi24. “We believe education is a fundamental pillar of rehabilitation.”
Meke emphasized the MPS’s commitment to using education as a tool for transformation, quoting Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” He added, “We are fully aligned with that philosophy.”
The MSCE is a critical academic qualification in Malawi, equivalent to a high school diploma. For inmates, participation in the exams represents more than academic achievement — it offers a pathway to personal development, reintegration, and a second chance at life.
Meke also expressed gratitude to education stakeholders who continue to support prison education programs, describing their contributions as essential to long-term rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.
“We appeal for continued support of this noble cause,” he said. “Our goal is for inmates to leave prison not only reformed, but empowered — equipped with skills that can help them lead productive, meaningful lives.”
This initiative reflects a growing global movement to humanize incarceration through education and vocational training, with the aim of reducing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration. In Malawi, it signals a policy shift that places greater emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment.
Although the number of inmate candidates may seem small, the significance is profound: within prison walls, real transformation is not only possible — it is already underway.
Meanwhile, the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) reports that a record 202,940 candidates have registered for the 2025 MSCE exams, up from 177,434 in 2024. The cohort comprises 97,089 female and 105,851 male candidates.
MANEB spokesperson Angella Kashitigu attributed the increase to growing public confidence in the integrity of the examination system and called on all stakeholders to ensure a fair, secure, and credible process.
