The Thyolo District Council has ordered interns whose placement periods have expired to leave their positions this month.
District Commissioner Noel Dakamau announced the decision on Monday during a meeting with interns, saying the interns have up to 30th June, 2026 as the council faces growing demand for internship placements despite limited capacity.
According to Dakamau, the council currently hosts 99 interns while more than 100 applications remain pending. He said some interns have stayed beyond their agreed placement periods, reducing opportunities for other young people looking to gain practical skills and work experience.
“Internships are designed to provide temporary practical learning opportunities, not permanent employment,” Dakamau told the meeting. He added that the council’s decision aims to ensure that more graduates and students benefit from the programme.
The directive will not affect interns whose placements are still active or those granted special consideration. However, individuals whose internship terms have ended must vacate their positions by the end of June. Dakamau said affected interns are free to reapply for future opportunities.
He also encouraged young people leaving the programme to use the skills and experience they have gained to pursue self-employment and other income-generating activities, noting the growing competition for formal jobs.
Some interns said they understood the reasons behind the council’s decision despite the challenges it presents.
Nelessi Mdala, who works in the District Education Office, said the announcement initially came as a surprise but acknowledged that ending expired placements would allow others to access similar opportunities.
“It was shocking at first, but I understand that other graduates also need a chance to gain experience,” she said.
Alex Maibeck, a Public Health graduate attached to Thyolo District Hospital, described the decision as difficult for affected interns but said it should encourage young people to explore alternative career paths.
He urged fellow graduates to consider entrepreneurship, farming and other forms of self-employment instead of relying solely on internship opportunities as a route into the labour market.
The move comes as many graduates across Malawi continue to face limited employment opportunities, increasing competition for internships that often serve as an important stepping stone into the workforce.
District Commissioner Noel Dakamau announced the decision on Monday during a meeting with interns, saying the interns have up to 30th June, 2026 as the council faces growing demand for internship placements despite limited capacity.
According to Dakamau, the council currently hosts 99 interns while more than 100 applications remain pending. He said some interns have stayed beyond their agreed placement periods, reducing opportunities for other young people looking to gain practical skills and work experience.
“Internships are designed to provide temporary practical learning opportunities, not permanent employment,” Dakamau told the meeting. He added that the council’s decision aims to ensure that more graduates and students benefit from the programme.
The directive will not affect interns whose placements are still active or those granted special consideration. However, individuals whose internship terms have ended must vacate their positions by the end of June. Dakamau said affected interns are free to reapply for future opportunities.
He also encouraged young people leaving the programme to use the skills and experience they have gained to pursue self-employment and other income-generating activities, noting the growing competition for formal jobs.
Some interns said they understood the reasons behind the council’s decision despite the challenges it presents.
Nelessi Mdala, who works in the District Education Office, said the announcement initially came as a surprise but acknowledged that ending expired placements would allow others to access similar opportunities.
“It was shocking at first, but I understand that other graduates also need a chance to gain experience,” she said.
Alex Maibeck, a Public Health graduate attached to Thyolo District Hospital, described the decision as difficult for affected interns but said it should encourage young people to explore alternative career paths.
He urged fellow graduates to consider entrepreneurship, farming and other forms of self-employment instead of relying solely on internship opportunities as a route into the labour market.
The move comes as many graduates across Malawi continue to face limited employment opportunities, increasing competition for internships that often serve as an important stepping stone into the workforce.
