The Impact of COVID-19 on Primary Education in Malawi: Exploring Policy Responses and Practices

This paper explores the effects of Covid-19 on primary education in Malawi and focuses on policy responses and practices. Covid-19 caused major disruptions to the education system including loss of learning due to school closures. In response to the pandemic, the Malawian government developed policies and strategies to prevent the further spread of the pandemic and to ensure the continued learning of pupils. The policies on continued learning include measures to decongest classrooms and schools, remedial learning and remote learning. The Covid-19 prevention measures include social distancing, wearing masks and hand washing. However, these measures are being implemented in an already challenged education system characterized by low learning outcomes and inadequate resources. This paper therefore examines how the policies and strategies are being implemented and their impacts on primary education in Malawi. This paper uses document analysis to understand the policies and analyses some primary data to gain insights into current practices