The concerns were raised by the Committee Chairperson, Hon. Savel Kafwafwa, during an engagement meeting with British Council officials, who appeared before the Committee to brief Members of Parliament about the organisation’s work in Malawi, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) initiatives being implemented under the Zantchito Skills for Jobs Project, a project funded by the European Union and implemented by multiple partners with the Technical Assistance of the British Council.
Speaking from an oversight and accountability perspective, Hon. Kafwafwa emphasized that the Committee’s mandate, among other issues, covers social welfare, youth, gender, disability, sports, community development including labour-related issues, placing TEVET firmly within its scope of responsibility.
“All economies rely on labour, and unskilled labour has a direct and negative impact on economic performance,” the Chairperson said. “The more unskilled labour we have compared to skilled labour, the more it reflects badly on our economy. As a committee, we have been concerned for years about the skills base in Malawi.”
The Committee noted that while successive governments have made commendable efforts to expand access to skills training—citing the establishment of Community Technical Colleges in each constituency as a particularly strong initiative—structural challenges within the education system continue to limit the number of skilled workers entering the economy.
Of particular concern is what the Committee described as a “self-restricting education pyramid.” According to the Chairperson, only about 20 percent of Malawian children access early childhood development and education, resulting in a weak foundation. At primary level, less than half of enrolled learners transition to secondary school, and of those who reach secondary education, fewer than half proceed to universities or colleges.
“This pyramid severely narrows opportunities as learners progress,” the Chairperson observed. “As a committee, this is our major concern. It explains why skills gaps persist and why interventions such as Zantchito are not just relevant, but critical.”
The Committee welcomed Zantchito’s interventions in skills development and its engagement with Parliament, describing it as an encouraging sign that practical steps are being taken to address long-standing skills challenges through policy-informed programming.
In her remarks, British Council Malawi Country Director, Melody Sango, underscored that the identified skills gaps are being addressed through a multi-stakeholder approach, with the Malawi Government and Parliament playing a central role.
“What is important to note is that these gaps are not being resolved in isolation,” Sango said. “Our work is premised on partnerships, and much of it would not be possible without the involvement of Members of Parliament and close collaboration with Government.”
Sango reaffirmed the British Council’s long-standing commitment to Malawi’s development agenda, noting that the organisation has operated in the country for over 50 years. She added that current interventions, including Zantchito, are carefully aligned with national priorities and the Malawi 2063 development strategy.
“We are excited to be working with key Ministries and Government departments to ensure alignment not only with national objectives, but with the long-term vision of Malawi 2063,” she said.
During the presentations, Zantchito Skills for Jobs Technical Assistance project Deputy Team Leader, Dick Maganga, stressed that some of the gaps identified in Malawi’s TEVET sector will be addressed using sector specific interventions such as the introduction of Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs), capacity building for tutors, the proposed introduction and scaling of TEVET subjects at Secondary school level, adequate financing, stronger stakeholder collaboration, among others.
As Malawi grapples with youth unemployment and a growing demand for decent jobs, the Committee stressed that strengthening TEVET systems and skills pathways must remain a national priority, warning that failure to do so will continue to constrain productivity, employment, and inclusive economic growth.
