BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Prisons Service has registered notable improvements in this year’s Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE) and Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) results, highlighting the growing role of prison schools in transforming inmates’ lives through education.
According to Prisons Service spokesperson Steve Meke, 34 out of 58 inmates who sat for PSLCE passed, representing a 58.6% pass rate, which is a rise from last year’s 55%.
The results point to a steady improvement in academic performance among inmates, despite the challenges associated with prison learning environments such as limited resources and overcrowding.
Zomba Prison emerged as the leading institution with an impressive 88.8% pass rate, followed by Bvumbwe Reformatory at 66.6% and Blantyre Prison at 50%.
This reflects a slight reshuffle from last year, when Zomba and Maula led in most categories, showing that more facilities are beginning to perform competitively.
At the JCE level, the progress is even more remarkable. Out of 47 candidates, 36 passed, translating to a 76.5% pass rate, a significant leap from last year’s 54%.
This year’s results indicate that prison schools are not only sustaining but also surpassing previous achievements, reflecting improved teaching methods and a stronger commitment from both inmates and educators.
The top three performers in JCE were Maula Prison with a flawless 100% pass rate, followed by Zomba Central Prison and Blantyre Prison, both tied at 88.8%. Compared to 2024, where no prison registered a 100% pass rate, Maula’s clean sweep marks a new milestone in the history of prison education in Malawi.
Meke emphasized that the results demonstrate how education is reshaping the lives of inmates, giving them hope for reintegration into society.
He added that the service remains committed to strengthening prison education programs by providing more learning materials, enhancing teacher support, and motivating inmates to take up studies seriously.
