By Elywin Chighali Mhango
The Principal Secretary for Basic Education in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Rachel Chimbwete Phiri, announced the launch of the TiKuMA Programme, a significant initiative aimed at improving children’s educational rights and outcomes in Malawi. The launch took place on Thursday at Mduwa Primary School in Mchinji District, with the event underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing children’s rights to education.
Funded by the Norwegian government through the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) with an investment of K18 billion, the TiKuMA Programme will be implemented across three Traditional Authorities (TAs) in Mchinji and six TAs in Balaka. The program aims to ensure that all children can access education and are supported by robust community and government systems by 2028.
Dr. Phiri expressed optimism regarding the programme’s potential, citing past successful collaborations between the Malawian government and Save the Children, which were also aligned with Norwegian funding. She highlighted the achievements of previous initiatives, including the Malawi Inclusive Education Programme, which improved educational access for vulnerable children in various districts.
“Today, I stand here reflecting on the valuable work we’ve achieved together with Save the Children and with the generous support from the Government of Norway and Norad,” Dr. Phiri remarked, emphasizing the positive impact of initiatives like the Securing Child Rights through Education and Protection (SCREP) Programme. She noted significant improvements in educational outcomes, including a rise in reading proficiency among Grade 4 learners and a reduction in the dropout rate among girls due to child marriage.
Dr. Nertha Semphere Mgala, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, also spoke at the launch, reinforcing the inseparable link between education and protection for all children. “The government will continue to tackle challenges to ensure no child is left behind,” Dr. Mgala stated.
Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi Ingrid Marie Mikelsen reaffirmed her country’s dedication to advancing children’s rights through improved education and child protection systems.
The Ministry of Education will spearhead the TiKuMA Programme, focusing on enhancing the capacity of school leadership, promoting digital technology in teaching literacy and numeracy, and adopting child-centered, participatory teaching practices. This initiative represents a significant step forward in enhancing educational outcomes for children in Malawi, ensuring a brighter future for the nation’s youth.
