27 percent of Malawians can't read, write: statistics

Malawi: Statistics from the Ministry of Education and the Malawi National Commission for UNESCO show that five million of the country's 18 million people are illiterate, which means that approximately 27 people out of every 100 are unable to read and write.

Speaking at a roundtable meeting on Adult Learning and Education organised by DVV International in Lilongwe on Tuesday, September 29 2022, Deputy Director of Community Development in the Ministry of Gender Charles Mkunga explained that the statistics were due to a lack of funding.

While acknowledging that the National Adult Literacy and Education Policy has been beneficial to the country, Mkunga stated that more needs to be done.

"The goal of the National Adult Literacy and Education Policy is to reduce illiteracy and improve skills development and education among adults and targeted youths for effective participation in socioeconomic development," he said.

"However, despite Malawi's alarming levels of literacy, the government is working to improve the levels."

According to David Harrington, DVV International Region Director for Southern Africa, the policy was well designed, but what remains is to walk the walk.

"We organised the meeting for stakeholders to discuss how to improve Adult Literacy Education in the country," he explained.

Statistics show that of the 5 million people, adult men have a literacy rate of 73% and women have a literacy rate of 59%.

Literacy rates among older adults are generally lower than among younger people. Malawi has a 75% youth literacy rate (literacy among people aged 15-24).

The National Adult Literacy and Education Policy was created to serve as a guiding framework for understanding and translating issues for the advancement of life.