The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in Lilongwe has issued an official update on the opening of Term 2 for selected schools affected by recent floods. This announcement follows an earlier press release dated 3 January 2026, which communicated a delay in the reopening of some schools due to flood damage and access challenges in affected areas.
This expanded update clarifies which schools will reopen as scheduled, which ones remain affected, and the reasons behind the revised decision. Parents, students, school administrators, and education stakeholders should review this information carefully to plan accordingly.
Background to the Earlier Decision on School Opening Delays
Severe flooding affected several parts of Malawi, disrupting road networks and limiting safe access to schools. In response, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology announced a delay in the opening of Term 2 for some schools as a safety measure. The decision aimed to protect learners, teachers, and support staff while emergency response and infrastructure assessments continued.
One of the major concerns involved access routes along the M1 road, particularly around the Mpasadzi Bridge area, which affected transport to and from several boarding schools.
Road Authority Update Influencing the Reversal
Following the initial announcement, the Road Authority issued Notice No. RA/PN/2026/07 confirming the opening of a temporary access point at the Mpasadzi Bridge on the M1 road. This development restored traffic flow and improved access to areas previously affected by flood-related road closures.
After reviewing this update and assessing safety conditions, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology approved a partial reversal of the earlier decision to delay school openings.
Schools Opening on 5 January 2026
Based on the revised assessment, all public national and district boarding secondary schools will open on Sunday, 5 January 2026, as originally scheduled. This applies to boarding institutions across the country where access routes are now considered safe for travel.
Parents and guardians of learners attending these schools should proceed with normal travel and reporting arrangements. School administrations are expected to resume academic activities in line with the Term 2 calendar.
Schools Remaining Closed in Nkhotakota District
Despite the partial reversal, public schools in Nkhotakota district will remain closed until Monday, 12 January 2026. This decision remains unchanged due to ongoing flood response operations within the district.
Emergency activities in Nkhotakota include infrastructure repair, community support efforts, and safety assessments. The Ministry has confirmed that reopening schools before the completion of these activities would pose risks to learners and staff.
The delayed reopening aims to allow sufficient time for flood recovery measures to progress and ensure a safer learning environment when schools resume.
What Parents and Students Should Do
Parents and guardians should take note of the revised dates and prepare learners accordingly.
For boarding secondary schools outside Nkhotakota district, students should report on 5 January 2026 as scheduled.
For public schools within Nkhotakota district, learners should remain at home until the revised opening date of 12 January 2026.
Families should monitor official announcements from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and school administrations for any additional updates related to transport arrangements, accommodation, or academic schedules.
Role of Schools and Education Authorities
School administrators are expected to communicate directly with parents and students regarding reporting times, school readiness, and any local arrangements linked to the reopening. Education authorities at district and national levels continue to monitor conditions and coordinate with disaster response agencies to support affected schools.
The Ministry has emphasized coordination with the Road Authority and other government agencies to ensure learner safety remains a priority during the reopening period.
Contact Information for Further Enquiries
Members of the public seeking clarification or additional information are advised to contact the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology through the Public Relations Office.
Telephone contacts:
01 789 422
0995 72 27 22
Official Statement
This notice has been issued under the authority of:
Ken Ndala, PhD
Secretary for Education, Science and Technology
The Ministry appreciates the cooperation of parents, students, and education stakeholders during this period and encourages continued adherence to official guidance as schools resume Term 2 activities.
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