Due to curriculum change, Malawi National examinations Board (MANEB) has registered a 54 percent decline in the number of candidates for the 2019 Malawi school Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations.

According to Maneb spokesperson Mayamiko Chiwaya, about 96 000 candidates are expected to sit the examinations this year, a drop from 2018 when 209 000 candidates registered.

Chiwaya attributed the decline to the introduction of the new secondary school curriculum.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) rolled out the new secondary school curriculum in the 2015/16 academic year, a year after postponing its implementation due to logistical challenges.

However, implementation of the new curriculum has been a major challenge for a number factors, including lack of textbooks, learning facilities such as laboratories and training of teachers mostly in areas of special needs.

Government, through MoEST and Malawi Institute of Education (MIE), had been reviewing the secondary school curriculum since 2009.

The new curriculum seeks to emphasize on science subjects and equip students with learner-centered approaches as well as adequate and relevant skills to cope with tertiary education and the world of work life in general.