Lilongwe — The DPP government is facing public criticism for what many see as double standards in its so-called free education policy, after it emerged that only learners in public schools will have their 2026 national examination fees paid by government, while those in private schools are excluded.
According to a press release issued by the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) on 7th November 2025, the government has announced that “all candidates in public primary and secondary schools will not contribute examination and identity card fees.”
The statement follows the introduction of free primary and secondary education under the DPP administration. However, the policy leaves out thousands of Malawian children enrolled in private schools — even though their parents also pay taxes that fund government operations.
This selective approach has raised serious questions about fairness and inclusiveness.
“If the policy is truly about helping Malawians, then it should benefit all Malawian learners, not just those in public schools,” argued one education analyst in Lilongwe. “Private school students are also citizens whose parents contribute to the same tax base.”
Critics say this is yet another example of policy hypocrisy and double standards by the DPP government — one that preaches equality in public but practices division in implementation.
Observers note that while government pays for examination fees of public school candidates, private school learners — many of whom come from working-class families making sacrifices for better education — are being unfairly left behind.
“This is a government of contradictions,” said a Blantyre-based teacher. “They say education is free, but they mean free for some, not for all.”
Analysts are urging the Mutharika administration to revise the policy and make it fair to all Malawians, regardless of where they go to school.
If education is truly free, they argue, then every Malawian child — whether in a public or private institution — should benefit equally.
Until then, the DPP’s free education pledge, critics say, will remain another political slogan hiding deep inequalities in practice.
