Students across Malawi are returning to classrooms today with smiles and excitement as government primary and secondary schools successfully reopen for the second term of the 2025/26 academic year. The reopening marks a triumph of careful planning and community resilience following heavy rains that tested the nation's infrastructure in recent weeks.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) has demonstrated exemplary leadership by adjusting its reopening strategy to prioritize both educational continuity and student safety. After initially announcing delays for some districts due to road damage, ministry officials worked tirelessly to assess conditions and coordinate with disaster response teams, ultimately enabling most schools to welcome students back as originally planned.

"This means that all public national and district boarding secondary schools will open on 5 January 2026 as previously scheduled," announced MoEST Secretary Ken Ndala, reflecting the ministry's commitment to keeping education on track while maintaining safety standards.

The thoughtful exception to the reopening schedule showcases the government's people-first approach. Schools in Nkhotakota District will open slightly later on January 12, allowing additional time for cleanup, repairs, and coordination with ongoing flood response efforts. This measured decision has earned praise from education advocates who recognize that a brief, strategic delay serves students' best interests.

Benedicto Kondowe, Executive Director of the Civil Society Education Coalition, commended the ministry's balanced approach. "Opening schools where learners and teachers cannot safely travel would be administratively neat but practically unjust and unsafe," he noted, emphasizing that the ministry's decision reflects genuine care for student welfare.

Kondowe expressed confidence that the brief delay would not harm educational progress, particularly with proper catch-up strategies in place. His optimism reflects a broader recognition that Malawi's education system is building resilience and adaptability in response to climate challenges.

The successful reopening comes after significant community effort to address infrastructure challenges caused by late December and early January rains. While the weather affected the M1 road between Kasungu and Mzimba and the M5 road between Nkhotakota and Nkhata Bay, the swift response from government agencies and disaster management teams has enabled life to return to normal for most communities.

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs reports that rescue and recovery operations proceeded efficiently, with 354 people successfully rescued during the emergency period. The coordinated response between education officials, disaster management teams, and local communities demonstrates Malawi's growing capacity to handle weather-related challenges while protecting its most valuable resource—its children's education.

As classroom doors open today, there's a palpable sense of optimism among educators, parents, and students. The experience has highlighted the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure, and education stakeholders are already looking ahead to implementing long-term solutions that will further strengthen schools against future weather events.

The reopening also signals a renewed commitment to ensuring every child's right to education remains protected, regardless of environmental challenges. With catch-up strategies being developed and a stable learning environment prioritized, Malawi's students are poised for a successful and productive term ahead.

This chapter in Malawi's education story reminds us that with thoughtful leadership, community cooperation, and unwavering commitment to children's welfare, challenges can be transformed into opportunities for building stronger, more resilient systems.