Malawi government reaffirms commitment to innovation, education reform
Minister of Education Bright Msaka has reaffirmed the Malawi Government’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote research, innovation, and evidence-based policy development across the education sector.
The Minister made the remarks during the official opening of the 22nd Conference on Mathematics, Science, and Technology Educators in Africa (COMSTEDA 22), held under the theme, “Reimagining STEM for a Pan-African Future: Bridging Education, Innovation, and Sustainable Development towards Agenda 2063.”
Msaka highlighted that President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika firmly believes that education remains the cornerstone of human capital development and serves as the foundation for economic transformation in Malawi and across Africa.
He stressed that the government’s ongoing education reforms are not only bold but visionary, aimed at reshaping the system to meet the demands of a fast-evolving global economy.
According to Msaka, the forthcoming curriculum reforms—which mark a shift from Outcome-Based Education (OBE) to Competency-Based Education (CBE)—represent a major paradigm shift in the country’s education system.
The new approach, he explained, seeks to make education more relevant, inclusive, and future-oriented, equipping learners with practical skills, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities necessary for national and continental progress.
In his remarks, Secretary for Education Ken Ndala described the conference as timely, noting that Malawi is currently revising curricula for primary, secondary, and teacher education levels to align with modern learning needs and international best practices.
Ndala emphasized that the reforms are designed to prepare a skilled and competitive workforce capable of responding to the demands of the 21st-century economy, driven by innovation, science, and technology.
Also speaking at the event, Benson Banda, President of the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science Education in Africa (SMASE-AFRICA), called for a decolonization of the STEM curriculum, urging African educators to integrate indigenous knowledge systems into teaching and learning processes.
Professor Banda argued that embracing African knowledge, values, and experiences within STEM education would make learning more relatable, empowering, and transformative for students.
The conference brought together education policymakers, researchers, and academics from across Africa to share ideas on advancing STEM education, enhancing innovation ecosystems, and supporting the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Through COMSTEDA 22, Malawi reaffirmed its determination to reimagine STEM education as a driving force for economic growth, scientific discovery, and sustainable development, reinforcing the belief that education remains the most powerful tool for shaping Africa’s future.
