International Day of Education: Breaking Barriers and Building Futures
Sinkhani Board chair and volunteer, Linley Mzira and Charity Banda weigh a child at a monthly weighing day in Mphamba, Nkhata Bay district in Malawi.
On January 24, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Education, a day established by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize the vital role education plays in fostering peace and development.
Education is more than just learning—it is the foundation for equality, opportunity, and progress. As the UN reminds us:
“Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.”
Education and Early Childhood Development in Malawi
In Malawi, one of the greatest challenges to education begins long before a child enters school. Severe malnutrition and stunting in early life prevent many children from reaching their physical and cognitive potential. To address this, Sinkhani community health volunteers (CHVs) have stepped in with a holistic approach, teaching tens of thousands of caregivers each year:
Proper nutrition as the foundation for healthy growth.
Sanitation practices to prevent illness.
Instructions to make life-saving Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) for diarrhea and vomiting.
In addition, they monitor child growth from birth to age five to ensure healthy development.
This work has had a profound impact in their communities. In recent years, community leaders have asked these volunteers to take on an additional role: teaching nursery school. These community-based preschools—often held in churches, community centers, and homes—give children ages 3 to 5 the opportunity to learn basic numbers, letters, and life skills. These skills are essential for entering government schools at age six.
Today, thanks to the dedication of CHVs, over 500 children across Malawi receive early education every day. This simple yet powerful initiative is transforming lives, breaking cycles of poverty, and giving children the chance to dream bigger.
Why It Matters
Education is not just a right—it is a lifeline. When children learn, communities grow stronger. When adults are empowered with knowledge, societies thrive. On this International Day of Education, let’s recommit to ensuring that every child, everywhere, has access to quality education.
Together, we can build a future where no one is left behind.
Morris Nyirenda shows us how she uses the walls to represent different learning stations in the small building that serves as her classroom at the Sinkhani Center in Kazomba, Mzimba district, in Malawi.
Milliam Ngoma with the nursery school children in Mphamba, a rural village in the Nkhata Bay district in Malawi.