The conviction of an executive from an unregistered university marks a significant step in Malawi's efforts to combat illegal higher education institutions. The official operating unregistered universities was fined and faces imprisonment for offering fake qualifications. While civil society organizations advocate for more arrests and consequences for employers recognizing qualifications from such institutions, the conviction underscores the importance of regulatory enforcement to maintain educational integrity. Calls for a National Qualification Authority Bill aim to strengthen regulatory frameworks, yet progress remains uncertain.

The Ministry of Education plans to incorporate corruption studies into Malawi's primary school curriculum to instil values against corruption. They launched a sourcebook for teachers at Dzenza Primary School, emphasizing the importance of integrity in children and the need to resist corruption. The initiative received endorsement from the UNDP, focusing on behavior change through education. Civil society activists urge the fight against corruption, attributing economic challenges to past practices and calling for investigations into alleged corrupt activities during previous administrations.

Two employees at the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) have been arrested in Lilongwe for allegedly stealing through a private university, MWK335 million (US$326,000) meant for student loans between 2018 and 2019. Failing to pay rent and provide loans to students at the tertiary institutions, the university made a proposal to the board for a donation of MWK10 million (US$9,750). The board instead sent MWK300 million and asked the university to return the additional money to various accounts belonging to employees at the loans board.

To enhance teacher’s standards and accountability in education systems, Malawi’s Ministry of Education is developing its teachers’ policy, including the Teachers Code of Conduct (COC) with the support from UNESCO’s Norwegian Teacher Initiative. The CoC will include teachers from Teacher Training Colleges and should denounce corporal punishment.

According to reports from the National Examinations Board, the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) English tests have been leaked. Answers had already been posted on social networks while candidates were waiting to take the test. Police in Lilongwe arrested three students from Kabwabwa Community Day Secondary School after they were found discussing a theory paper on agriculture that had been administered during the MSCE exams on Monday. Investigations are underway to establish the source of the leak.

The African Union report shows that at least 57 percent of people who make contact with schools in Malawi pay bribes. Informal payments threaten children’s rights and welfare. For example, informal charges by teachers for teaching, and for additional items such as school meals, books, uniforms or exams can drive poorer students in particular to miss school. In addition, the acquisition of fake or fraudulent qualifications affect the learning outcomes of children.

A mass exodus of teaching staff is looming at Likhubula Primary School in Chilomoni Township, Blantyre after 28 teachers asked for postings from the school following a stand-off that has arisen between the teachers and the surrounding community. In a letter, the teachers say they do not feel safe at their current workplace after the community openly accused them of misusing the school’s funds. The Chilomoni Ward Councilor accused the teachers of corruption when collecting funds from pupils and when handling other projects at the school.