By Nelson Gonjani:
The Malawi National Examinations Board (Maneb) says the ongoing shortage of forex continues to delay the printing of certificates for Initial Primary Teacher Education (Ipte) Cohort 18.
This is according to a letter dated May 6, 2026 addressed to the students and signed by the board’s Executive Director, Dorothy Nampota.
“As communicated on February 6 this year, the delay is due to the shortage of forex which has affected the procurement of stationery used to print the certificates. We expect to have the stationery ready by July 2026 after which the certificates will be printed,” the letter reads.
Speaking on behalf of the cohort, Dokiso Mvula said the students were not satisfied with the response, saying certificates are usually released within three months of examinations being written.
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Mvula added that the delay is preventing graduates from accessing job opportunities and pursuing further studies.
“We appreciate the timely response to our concerns, but we are not satisfied with the explanation because many graduates are missing out on job opportunities and failing to pursue further studies,” he said.
Mvula said the cohort plans to take further steps to address the matter and described the delay in printing more than 7,000 certificates as worrying.
“We believe the board could have done more to secure the required forex. However, we will not disclose our next course of action at this time,” he said.
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Education advocate Benedicto Kondowe described the prolonged delay in releasing certificates for Ipte Cohort 18 as unacceptable.
Kondowe said it reflects “serious failures” in administrative preparedness and prioritisation within the education system.
“These graduates fulfilled all academic and professional requirements yet they continue to be denied documents that are critical for employment, deployment, promotions and further studies,” he said.
Kondowe called on Maneb and the government to act urgently by providing “a clear, binding and accountable roadmap” for the release of the certificates.
“Malawi must urgently modernise certification systems, including introducing secure digital certification mechanisms, to avoid exposing graduates to repeated humiliation and uncertainty,” he said.
A total of 7,095 students from Ipte Cohort 18 graduated in April 2025 after Maneb administered their final examinations.
