DFID-funded Global Partnership for Education approves US$44.9 million for Malawi

The Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education has approved US$147 million to improve the education of millions of children and youth, including US$44.9 million for Malawi.

DFID is a major contributor to the Global Partnership for Education, with the World Bank acting as the fund manager in Malawi.

Malawi’s grant of US$44.9 million will focus on the quality of early education and ensuring girls don’t drop out of school. The program will provide school improvement grants, construct schools and sanitary facilities, and offer capacity development for teachers and head teachers to improve school management. Vulnerable populations including girls and children with disabilities will specifically benefit from this program. Malawi's targets to receive the results-based portion focus on retention of girls in upper primary schools, reductions in repetition rates in lower primary education and enhancement of learning environments in early grades.

The GPE priorities are very much in line with DFID’s focus in Malawi on learning, better data and strengthening school management in their evolving education portfolio, so there should be strong alignment between the two new programmes.

The grants will support and help implement national or regional education sector plans which provide a blue print for strengthening the countries’ education sectors over the coming years. GPE supports rigorous, inclusive and transparent national planning processes, bringing together education ministries and donors with civil society, international organizations, teachers’ organizations and other education partners.

GPE’s results-based funding model links 30% of grant allocations to the achievement of specific results in learning outcomes, education system efficiency and equity for all children.

“This funding demonstrates GPE’s commitment to support national efforts to educate and empower children to build a better life for themselves,” said Julia Gillard, Board Chair of the Global Partnership for Education. “Children, particularly the most marginalized, will benefit from stronger education systems, enhanced learning environments, improved teaching skills and expanded access to schooling.”

It is firmly based on supporting the new UN Global Goal for education which commits to ensuring equitable, quality education for all.

“GPE’s partnership model focuses on strengthening countries’ capacity to improve equity and access to quality education, and the improvement of teaching and learning,” said Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Partnership for Education. “These grants will help millions of children to go to school, stay in school and learn with qualified teachers.”

The Scotland Malawi Partnership warmly welcomes this award to Malawi which has the potential to significantly improve the educational experience for millions of young Malawians.