More than 100,000 young Malawians leave secondary school each year to compete for just 10,000 places in technical colleges, a gap the government says threatens the country’s industrial ambitions despite major recent gains.
“The numbers tell a worrying story,” Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation Joel Chigona said, noting that technical college enrolment stood at only about 2,500 students before recent reforms.
Chigona said the World Bank-supported Skills for a Vibrant Economy (SAVE) Project has helped lift enrolment to nearly 10,000 through new hostels, classrooms, workshops, and laboratories, as well as bursaries and double-stream training.
He added that the programme has improved training quality by strengthening instructor capacity, expanding industry partnerships, and encouraging female participation in traditionally male-dominated trades.
Despite these gains, Chigona warned that available training spaces remain far below demand, creating pressure on institutions and limiting opportunities for school leavers.
“We must consolidate these achievements and expand national and community technical colleges,” he said, citing shortages of qualified instructors and equipment as critical constraints.
World Bank education practice manager Muna Salih Meky said the Bank remains committed to supporting Malawi’s skills agenda as it aligns with the Malawi 2063 vision of building a productive, industrialised, and self-reliant economy.
