Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) yesterday started administering the 2025 Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) examinations with 166 123 candidates enrolled.
Spot checks in schools in Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Dedza and Blantyre showed that examinations started on time with invigilators and security available.
Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Madalitso Kambauwa, who monitored the process at Linthipe and Nthulu secondary schools in Dedza yesterday, advised the candidates to follow instructions and refrain from malpractices such as cheating.
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She said she was impressed that there was a high number of female candidates sitting for the JCE examinations.
“This is attributed to the government’s commitment to promoting equal academic opportunities,” said Kambauwa.
Out of the 166 123 candidates registered nationwide, 85 902 are females and 80 221 males.
This reflects a continuing trend as records indicate that in 2022, there were 159 964 candidates comprising 79 595 males and 80 369 females while in 2023, the numbers increased to 85 998 males and 90 434 females, totalling 176 432 candidates. On the other hand, last year there were 79 724 males and 84 226 females registered, giving a total of 163 950 candidates although 154 504 sat for the examinations.
Speaking in an interview yesterday, Maneb executive director Professor Dorothy Nampota said the smooth process experienced in the Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education examinations administered from May 21 to May 23 2025 set the tone for the JCE examinations.
“The first day usually sets the tempo so going forward. We do not expect any major challenges in the current exams,” she said.
Nampota further said while the board has not received reports of any registered candidates being barred because of failure to pay school fees, schools should not use national examinations to penalise students.
Yesterday, students sat for Agriculture in the morning and Geography paper in the afternoon.
The JCE examinations will run up to June 12 2025
Maneb will also administer the Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations from July 1 to July 25.
