Learning from the Malawi CBE Conference

The Link team share learning from the recent National CBE conference in Malawi entitled “Developing an inclusive and effective CBE model: towards an inclusively wealthy nation”

This March, Link Malawi joined the Ministry of Education and other development partners in hosting the very first Complementary Basic Education (CBE) Conference. The aim of the gathering was to standardize CBE delivery to ensure that all service providers in Malawi conform to the highest standards and to ensure quality CBE is available to all.

This conference was organized by Link and other partners delivering CBE in Malawi in order to share learning about what works to include the most marginalised young people in education. It was funded by FCDO as part of the TEAM Girl Malawi project which supports out of school adolescent girls facing a range of barriers like early marriage, motherhood, and disability to complete CBE and improve their life chances.

The conference also gave an opportunity to raise awareness about Complementary Basic Education and expose different stakeholders to basic education developments in Malawi.

The day involved testimonies from CBE learners, CBE delivery partners sharing their work, and group discussion on how to harmonize CBE delivery in Malawi.

Abdul Rashid Husen, a CBE graduate and role model, demonstrates CBE activities for the Ministers

Speaking at the conference, Director of Basic Education Grace Milner, said the conference is a big milestone towards creating a policy for Complimentary Basic Education in the country. 

I am confident that this conference will bring uniformity to the CBE program in the country.

Director of Basic Education, Grace Milner

Deputy Minister of Education, Nancy Chaola Ndooko, said the CBE conference aligns well with Malawi Vision 2063 which talks more about youth empowerment and education.  She further said, “CBE has given a lot of leaners a chance to go back to school and it is good that we invest in it”.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Feston Kaupa, Board member for Link Malawi said, “An inclusive approach in delivering CBE will help the most marginalized girls in Malawi acquire an education opportunity, succeed and become change makers in their communities.” Dr. Kaupa encouraged the involvement of all key stakeholders including community members to ensure that CBE is well delivered.

In an interview with the media, director for Link Malawi, Mr. Harold Kuombola, said the conference will guide the Ministry and all CBE implementers to come up with a harmonized approach on how we can target out of school children to acquire functional literacy and numeracy skills so they can be able to transition into various pathways.

CBE learners with Director of Basic Education, Grace Milner (middle) and Link staff member Fyness Kabvumba (right)

One of the graduates of CBE, Hanuel Michembo said CBE gave him another chance to go back to school and be able to go to his dream college. He encouraged other young people not to give up so that they can also achieve their dreams. Hanuel is now pursuing a degree in Crop Science at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Following the conference, Link is pleased to continue working with MoE and other partners so that the harmonized model of CBE will be inclusive of all out of school youth and enable the government to deliver the right to education for all Malawians.

Link is transforming education by improving schools, promoting inclusion and empowering communities for sustainable change in Malawi. Link has been working to strengthen education systems in Malawi since 2006. We work across schools and districts in partnership with every level of government, and engage with local communities to deliver holistic projects that remove barriers to education and help children flourish.