The Country of Malawi began to offer free education in 1994.  This increased the number of children attending school and put a large strain on the resources to accomodate them. 

The Education structure in Malawi is based on the British education system.  In primary school the children attend Standards 1-8 and secondary school Form 1-4.  Primary school is free while secondary school in the outlying villages are provided at a cost. 

The average class size with one teacher is approximately 75 students; some classes are as large as 200 students.

The classrooms are all filled beyond capacity as many students want to get an education.  The goal of Educate Malawi, Inc. is to enable the most students possible to gain the best education possible.

Population: 10,548,250 as of July 2001

Total Area: 45,745.38 square miles (slightly smaller than Pennsylvania)

Language: English (official), Chichewa (official)

Literacy: 58% total, 72.8% male, 43.4% female

With the classes so large, not all the students fit in the existing schools.  Some children attend school under a tree in the school yard.  When it rains, these students cannot attend school. 

Additionally, with class sizes so large, there is need for more teachers.  However, some areas do not have sufficient housing for teachers to be near the schools.

EDUCATE MALAWI INC. - VISION

By building teacher's housing and classrooms we will reduce the student to teacher ratio and greatly improve learning conditions.