By Burnett Munthali
Retired statistician Blazio Haleke has called for a shift in Malawi’s education approach, urging that students be taught and trained from early stages to become self-starters capable of addressing emerging national challenges.
Speaking during a graduation ceremony for Friends Private Secondary School in Zomba, Haleke emphasized that the long-held assumption that students will automatically secure employment after school is no longer realistic in the face of Malawi’s current economic situation.
Haleke, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Parent Teacher Association at the school, said students must be equipped with practical skills and entrepreneurial mindsets to help them navigate life after graduation.
He stressed the need for the education system to prepare students for the real-world realities rather than offering false hope of employment in a shrinking formal job market.
The retired statistician pointed out that innovation, problem-solving, and self-reliance should be embedded in the curriculum at lower levels to better align with the changing demands of the modern economy.
On his part, the Director of Friends Private Secondary School, Andrew Nasalangwa, reiterated the school’s commitment to nurturing talents and preparing students for the challenges ahead.
Nasalangwa said the school aims to instill a mindset of resilience in learners, helping them understand that success is a product of hard work and determination rather than entitlement.
He further stated that Friends Private Secondary School believes in empowering students to realize their individual potential and to become future change-makers in their communities.
The graduation ceremony served as a platform for reflection on how education must evolve to match the shifting dynamics of Malawi’s job market and broader economic realities.
As the country grapples with high youth unemployment and limited economic opportunities, education stakeholders are being urged to adopt forward-thinking strategies that inspire creativity and independence in learners.
Haleke’s remarks come at a time when national conversations around education reform are intensifying, especially in response to increasing calls for practical and vocational training for the youth.
The event in Zomba has ignited renewed dialogue on how schools can better prepare learners not just to pass exams, but to thrive and lead in a rapidly changing world.
