BACKGROUND
The Malawi Vision 2063, First 10-year Implementation Plan 2021 to 2030, and the National Education Sector Investment Plan all indicate higher and technical education is key to development. The main challenge is to increase access to market-relevant tertiary education. Limited access to tertiary education can be increased by increasing infrastructure and introducing innovative ODeL programs in higher and technical education institutions.
The Government of Malawi is implementing with Skills for a Vibrant Economy (SAVE) project with support from the World Bank. The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to increase access, particularly for females, to labour market-relevant skills development programs, in participating institutions, targeting priority areas of the economy. The project has three components: 1. Supporting Increased Access to Skills Development Programs in Higher Education; 2. Supporting Increase in Access to TEVET Skills Development; 3. Tertiary Education System Strengthening, Project Management, M&E and Communications. In addition to the three components, the project also has a component on contingency for unforeseen circumstances that may derail the achievements of results. The project also focuses on increasing the participation of female and vulnerable students.
The project is being implemented by the following public higher education institutions: Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LAUNAR), University of Malawi (UNIMA), Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Mzuzu University (MZUNI), Domasi College of Education (DCE), Nalikule College of Education (NCE), and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. All the seven national technical colleges: Lilongwe, Namitete, Salima, Mzuzu, Livingstonia, Nasawa, and Soche. Other institutions include National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), the Higher Education Students Loans and Grant Board (HESLGB) and the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA). The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour play a leading role in the implementation of the project.
The total cost for the project is 100 million United State Dollars of which 50 million is a loan and 50 million is a grant. The project became effective on 14th October 2021.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE
SAVE Project Development Objective (PDO) is to increase access, particularly for females, to labour market-relevant skills development programs, in participating institutions, targeting priority areas of the economy. The PDO is measured by the following indicators:
i. Enrolment in degree, diploma, and certificate programs in priority areas
ii. Students who pass the annual assessment (Percentage)
iii. Industry Engagement Index (Percentage)’
SAVE PROJECT COMPONENTS UNDER THE TEVET AUTHORITY
The TEVET Authority has received funds from the SAVE project to implement 3 subcomponents of the project as follows:
1. The Competitive Grants subcomponent (US$15 million equivalent)
Under this subcomponent, the project will support selected CTCs, private technical colleges, and CSDCs to expand their training offers in line with market needs, especially targeting vulnerable and female youth. To benefit from these funds, institutions will apply for funding to a Competitive Grants Fund that will be set up by TEVETA. It is expected that in total 30 institutions will be supported with an average grant amount of US$ 500,000. The funds are earmarked for supporting selected Community Technical Colleges (CTCs), Private Technical Colleges (Pvt. TC) and Community Skills Development Centres (CSDCs) to expand their training offers in line with market needs, especially targeting vulnerable and female youth.
The funds will be used for expenditures related to the introduction or expansion of training programs in priority occupations, general institutional development leading to increased intake capacity, special services and support to vulnerable groups and girls, and selected recurrent costs. By the end of the project, it is expected that 3,000 additional intake capacities for new regular TEVET students will be created. In addition, it will support the institutions to improve and expand their training offers.
TEVETA shall make all TEVET and private technical institutions aware of the availability of funding through the publication of a call for proposals at least in two national papers.
2. INCLUSIVE BURSARY SCHEME FOR TEVET TRAINEES (US 5 Million equivalent)
Part of the SAVE project funding is intended to be used in the provision of a bursary scheme for poor and vulnerable students, especially girls and young women. The bursary is a financial award granted to students in SAVE-supported priority areas of the economy on the basis of a student’s financial neediness. This is an award to enable and encourage students to attend TEVET Skills Training Programmes when they might not be able to do so otherwise. The scheme aims at encouraging enrolment in courses within priority areas of focus in TEVET institutions and will encourage enrolment of women in particular. It is intended that the scheme will double enrolment in the first year. To achieve this, the scheme will be deliberately extended to all youths aspiring to access TEVET including those with weak Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) MSCE grades who will be supported through support mechanism courses. Efforts to ensure messaging to the general public on the availability of this financial assistance to all corners of Malawi shall be designed and delivered over local and national radios, churches, mosques and all gatherings. In particular information on the bursary scheme shall be made available in all secondary schools, at District Education Offices, and at Teacher Development Centres.
The Bursary will cover tuition fees, examination fees, book allowance, attachment allowance and accommodation The Bursary will be for the entire period of training and the beneficiaries will not be asked to repay after the completion of their program of study. It is required that sixty per cent (60%) of the bursary scheme shall be allocated to female students and 40% to males.
Eligibility Requirements
- Students intending to apply for this facility shall meet the following eligibility criteria;
- i. Vulnerability (financially challenged, persons with disability) of the beneficiary as endorsed by the district social welfare office on the application form.
- ii. Enrollment in the following types of TEVET institutions; National Technical Colleges (NTCs) Government, Grant Aided and Private Technical Colleges, Community Technical Colleges (CTCs) and Community Skills Development Centres (CSDCs) through government National Selection, district selection and community selection.
- iii. Possession of JCE and an MSCE with at least a credit in any subject. Those with poor MSCEs shall be considered in the enrollment for both male and female students (with a ratio of 40:60)
- iv. Enrollment in the support mechanism courses for those with weak STEM MSCE grades
- v. Enrollment in STEM courses that are within the SAVE project priority areas of the economy as follows; Agriculture, energy, Health, Industry, Information and Communication Technology and Skills and education.
TEVET SECTOR SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING (US 2.3 million equivalent)
This component will support system-level analysis, coordination, and capacity building to create a conducive policy environment and support overall project management. The component will support improvements in management information systems, improve quality assurance mechanisms, and help in the design, implementation and evaluation of policies that support improved access, equity, and efficiency. The component will also support the development and implementation of Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) to develop a coherent and coordinated approach to the expansion of distance learning opportunities and to ensure continuity of learning in emergencies. Overall project management, M&E and communications will also be supported through this component.