NGO Coalition on Child Rights

NGO CCR in partnership with UNICEF country office under Social Sector Financing Program will support Mwanza CSO network to conduct a Town hall meeting in Mwanza on 30th April 2026.

The meeting will provide Mwanza District Council with an opportunity to present its 2026/27 budget, development priorities, and the urban development plan. Citizens will be informed, consulted, and empowered to share their views, helping to shape decisions that affect their communities and future development trajectory.

Through this initiative, Mwanza CSO Network seeks to enhance public awareness of district plans and resource allocations, promote transparency and accountability, and strengthen collaboration between citizens, civil society organizations, and local government in driving sustainable urban development.


CSO NETWORK
DISTRICT COUNCIL

On 23rd March 2026, Parliamentarians, led by the Chairs of the Education and Social and Community Affairs Committees, conducted a monitoring visit in Salima to engage with learners, educators, and communities on the implementation of the Pre-Primary (P-Class) initiative, which is set to commence in Salima, Dedza, and Nsanje. The delegation was accompanied by representatives from UNICEF Malawi, NGO CCR, the Ministry of Education (technical staff), the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Local Government Finance Committee, with support from UNICEF through NGO CCR under the Social Sector Financing Programme.

Malawi is implementing significant reforms, including Free Secondary Education and the introduction of Pre-Primary (P-Class). While these initiatives have expanded access, they have also increased demand for infrastructure, staffing, and learning resources. The visit provided Parliamentarians with an opportunity to complement constituency perspectives with system-level insights from district officials, teachers, and learners.

In Salima, the team visited St. Francis Primary School, focusing on the P-Class initiative. During the visit, the team acknowledged the progress made through the pilot implementation in Salima.

However, several challenges were highlighted, including the lack of training for on-site caregivers, absence of a standardized P-Class curriculum, and high enrolment leading to inadequate resources. Representatives from the Ministry of Education indicated that processes are underway to address these issues, including planned training for caregivers and the development and distribution of the curriculum. It was also recommended during the meeting by Hon. Kafwafwa, Chair of the Social and Community Affairs Committee, that P-Class programming should not necessarily be attached to primary schools, but instead be delivered in dedicated, age-appropriate learning environments for five-year-old children.

The team also visited Matenje Secondary School to assess the implementation of Free Secondary Education. Students and teachers highlighted several positive outcomes, including improved access for learners regardless of financial background, reduced school dropout rates, and increased enrolment.

Despite these gains, the school also reported challenges, particularly regarding the inadequacy of grants, which affect the provision of incentives for both teachers and learners, among other operational needs.

The Parliamentarians, together with Gogo Chalo from the area, encouraged learners and teachers to remain focused on the benefits of the programme while efforts are being made to address the challenges raised.

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Every child has rights!!
Rights to learn, to be protected, to be heard, and to grow in a safe and supportive environment. ✊🏾

Together, we must promote, protect, and fulfill children’s rights in Malawi.