Teachers in public schools have warned that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology order stopping enforcement of school uniforms risks undermining learners’ safety, discipline and already strained classrooms.
In a December 8 circular, Secretary for Education, Science and Technology Ken Ndala reminded schools that under the Free Primary Education policy “the wearing of school uniform is not a compulsory requirement” and that “no learner should be excluded or sent back home on the basis of lacking a school uniform”.
But Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) secretary general Charles Kumchenga has said that while the intention is commendable, the policy exposes serious implementation gaps.
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He said: “Teachers understand and support the intention behind the directive which is to promote inclusivity and ensure that no learner is denied access to education due to poverty, but it was issued without sufficient consultation with those who implement policy on the ground.”
Kumchenga said that uniforms have traditionally played a key role in maintaining order and identifying learners within school premises and that their absence could create safety risks.
“Uniforms help teachers easily identify who belongs to the school. Without clear identification there are concerns about the presence of outsiders on school premises which can pose safety risks to learners and teachers,” he said.
Kumchenga also said the directive could deepen teacher workload pressures in overcrowded schools.
In the circular, the ministry acknowledged that uniforms remain important, stating that they are “encouraged as a means of promoting identity and discipline” but should not become a barrier to learning.
However, education rights advocate Benedicto Kondowe said he was in support of the directive, arguing that concerns around safety should not override access to education for poor children.
“Excluding learners over uniforms is unlawful, harmful and defeats national education goals. For many poor and vulnerable households uniforms are a real financial barrier and when children are sent home they fall behind and are more likely to drop out,” he said.
Kondowe added that risks linked to identification can be managed without denying children access to school.
Meanwhile, government has instructed head teachers to ensure strict compliance with the directive and report cases of non-compliance to the ministry, insisting that access to education must take precedence as Malawi seeks to keep poor and vulnerable children in school.
The instruction on school uniforms comes after the government confirmed that starting next term in January, all learners in public primary and secondary schools will no longer be required to pay tuition, boarding or school development fees in fulfilment of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s campaign promise, a move that is likely to swell enrolment.
