NGO Coalition on Child Rights

19/04/2026

On 23rd March 2026, Parliamentarians, led by the Chairs of the Education and Social and Community Affairs Committees, conducted a monitoring visit in Salima to engage with learners, educators, and communities on the implementation of the Pre-Primary (P-Class) initiative, which is set to commence in Salima, Dedza, and Nsanje. The delegation was accompanied by representatives from UNICEF Malawi, NGO CCR, the Ministry of Education (technical staff), the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Local Government Finance Committee, with support from UNICEF through NGO CCR under the Social Sector Financing Programme.

Malawi is implementing significant reforms, including Free Secondary Education and the introduction of Pre-Primary (P-Class). While these initiatives have expanded access, they have also increased demand for infrastructure, staffing, and learning resources. The visit provided Parliamentarians with an opportunity to complement constituency perspectives with system-level insights from district officials, teachers, and learners.

In Salima, the team visited St. Francis Primary School, focusing on the P-Class initiative. During the visit, the team acknowledged the progress made through the pilot implementation in Salima.

However, several challenges were highlighted, including the lack of training for on-site caregivers, absence of a standardized P-Class curriculum, and high enrolment leading to inadequate resources. Representatives from the Ministry of Education indicated that processes are underway to address these issues, including planned training for caregivers and the development and distribution of the curriculum. It was also recommended during the meeting by Hon. Kafwafwa, Chair of the Social and Community Affairs Committee, that P-Class programming should not necessarily be attached to primary schools, but instead be delivered in dedicated, age-appropriate learning environments for five-year-old children.

The team also visited Matenje Secondary School to assess the implementation of Free Secondary Education. Students and teachers highlighted several positive outcomes, including improved access for learners regardless of financial background, reduced school dropout rates, and increased enrolment.

Despite these gains, the school also reported challenges, particularly regarding the inadequacy of grants, which affect the provision of incentives for both teachers and learners, among other operational needs.

The Parliamentarians, together with Gogo Chalo from the area, encouraged learners and teachers to remain focused on the benefits of the programme while efforts are being made to address the challenges raised.

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19/04/2026

On 21st March 2026, Parliamentarians, led by the Chairs of Local Authority, Education, and Social and Community Affairs Committees, conducted a monitoring visit in Balaka to engage with learners, educators, and communities on the implementation of Free Secondary Education. The delegation was accompanied by representatives from UNICEF Malawi, NGO CCR, the Ministry of Education (technical staff), the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Local Government Finance Committee, with support from UNICEF through NGO CCR under the Social Sector Financing Programme.

Malawi is implementing significant reforms, including Free Secondary Education and the introduction of pre-primary (P class). While these initiatives have expanded access, they have also placed increased demand on infrastructure, staffing, and learning resources. The visit provided Parliamentarians with an opportunity to complement constituency perspectives with system-level insights from district officials, teachers, and learners.

In Balaka, the team visited St. Louis Montfort CDSS and Balaka Secondary School. During these visits, learners and teachers highlighted several positive outcomes associated with Free Secondary Education, including increased enrolment, reduced absenteeism, higher examination registration, and reduced financial burden on parents and guardians.

However, stakeholders also raised a number of challenges, particularly those arising from increased enrolment. These include shortages of teaching and learning materials, such as textbooks and classroom furniture, as well as delays in the disbursement of grants, which have affected school planning processes.

In response, Parliamentarians encouraged both learners and school management to remain committed to their efforts and assured them that the issues raised would be presented for consideration in Parliament.

16/03/2026

Good governance and accountability are essential for inclusive development. Read how NGOCCR is advocating for transparent implementation of the Constituency Women’s Fund and why clear guidelines matter for women’s empowerment and community impact

https://www.nyasatimes.com/ngoccr-recommends-integration-of-governance-accountability-guidelines-in-constituency-womens-fund-implementation/

13/03/2026

Every child has rights!!
Rights to learn, to be protected, to be heard, and to grow in a safe and supportive environment. ✊🏾

Together, we must promote, protect, and fulfill children’s rights in Malawi.

12/03/2026

Media Coverage: Zodiak Online,

Covering the Civil Society Organisations Engagement with the Community and Social Affairs and Local Government Cluster Committees of the Parliament of Malawi.

9th March 2026 at the Capital Hotel.

11/03/2026

The NGO Coalition on Child Rights was honored to contribute to the development of the national Childminders’ Manual alongside WUSC, WOLREC, the Ministry of Gender, and other key stakeholders.

For us, this is more than a document; it’s a framework to ensure that every child regardless of their setting receives care that is safe, professional, and nurturing.

Formalizing the childcare sector is a massive win for child protection and early development. We look forward to seeing these standards raise the bar for childcare across the nation!

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11/03/2026

“Children do not vote and they do not draft national budgets, but they are deeply affected by the choices we make. If we decide on a future that uplifts and protects them, will they not one day appreciate the decisions made in this room?”
— Hon. Savel Kafwafwa, MP, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs

In his remarks;
Hon. Savel Kafwafwa emphasized that while children do not vote or draft national budgets, the decisions made during the budgeting process profoundly shape their future. He highlighted the importance of continued engagement between Members of Parliament, civil society, and development partners to ensure that national budget allocations adequately respond to the needs of children.

The Chairperson acknowledged the presence and contributions of development partners and stakeholders, including the European Union in Malawi, German Embassy Lilongwe, UNICEF Malawi, Save the Children Malawi, World Vision Malawi , the National Children’s Commission of Malawi (NCC), the NGO Coalition on Child Rights, and other partners who continue to support efforts toward child-responsive budgeting.

Hon. Kafwafwa noted that the national budget is extensive and often challenging for MPs to analyze in detail, making such engagements essential in helping Parliament identify priority areas affecting children. He also explained that once the national budget is presented by the Ministry of Finance, opportunities to increase allocations are limited, with Parliament largely recommending reallocations between sectors.

Encouraging stakeholders to analyze investments across different age groups of children and youth, he raised concern about the significant funding gap in Early Childhood Development (ECD), particularly for children aged 3–5 years, and urged stakeholders to prioritize this critical stage of development.

He concluded by stressing that investing in children is investing in the future of the nation, calling for continued collaboration and advocacy to achieve a more child-friendly national budget

These remarks were made during the Civil Society Organisations Engagement with the Community and Social Affairs and Local Government Cluster Committees of the Parliament of Malawi, held on 9th March 2026 at the Capital Hotel.

10/03/2026

“Regardless of political affiliation, we must be driven by the national agreement captured in the Malawi Vision 2063, which places national development above political divisions.”
— Desmond Nyuma Mhango, Chairperson, NGO CCR

In his remarks,
Mhango highlighted several key issues emerging from the 2026/27 National Budget Review and Analysis, including the need for stronger investment in Early Childhood Development (ECD). He emphasized the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, noting that although ECD programmes are supported in policy, financing remains inadequate. He further pointed out that while about 2,000 volunteer childcare givers in public ECD centers receive monthly honoraria, more than 64,000 caregivers remain unpaid, many of whom are women supporting children at community level.

He also called for clearer child-focused allocations within social protection programmes and urged policymakers to consider ring-fencing a portion of the MK5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to support Early Childhood Development, education, and child protection services at community level. In addition, he highlighted the need to strengthen institutional structures for child protection, including support for the National Children’s Commission and the establishment of decentralized systems that can better serve children across districts and communities.

These remarks were made during the Civil Society Organisations Engagement with the Community and Social Affairs and Local Government Cluster Committees of the Parliament of Malawi, held on 9th March 2026 at the Capital Hotel.

09/03/2026

Today, the Child Rights Sector, led by the NGO Coalition on Child Rights with support from UNICEF Malawi and funding from the Government of Ireland, engaged the Parliamentary Cluster Committee on Social and Community Affairs and Local Authorities in Lilongwe through a presentation of key findings from the 2026/27 Child-Friendly Budget Analysis.

The engagement forms part of the Child Rights Sector’s ongoing efforts to promote child-responsive budgeting and strengthen parliamentary oversight on issues affecting children.

Held at Sunbird Capital, the engagement brought together Members of Parliament, civil society organizations, and development partners to reflect on how the proposed national budget responds to the needs and rights of children in Malawi.

During the presentation, stakeholders highlighted several critical trends in child-sensitive sector financing. Notably, social protection allocation is projected to decrease from K217 billion in the 2025/26 financial year to K123 billion in the proposed 2026/27 budget, partly due to reduced donor contributions. The analysis also showed a reduction of K87 billion in the education sector allocation, while Early Childhood Development (ECD) funding is projected to decline from K25 billion to K1 billion.

In his welcoming remarks, Desmond Mhango, NGO CCR chairperson, thanked the Parliamentary Cluster Committee on Social and Community Affairs and Local Authorities, including Hon. Savel Kafwafwa, MP, for their continued commitment to engaging with civil society on issues affecting children. He commended the committee for remaining child-focused and responsive, noting that their consistent participation in such engagements demonstrates strong leadership and a willingness to champion the rights and wellbeing of children in Malawi. He further emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between Parliament, CSOs, and NGOs to advance policies and budgets that prioritize children.

UNICEF Chief of Social Policy Mathew Tasker stressed the importance of increasing domestic revenue to ensure sustainable financing for social protection programs. Co-Chairperson of the Parliamentary Cluster Committee on Social and Community Affairs, Hon. Savel Kafwafwa, MP, also highlighted the need to strengthen investments in productive sectors to support public financing.

This initiative was organized by the Child Rights Sector through NGOCCR, with support from UNICEF and funding from the Government of Ireland.

09/03/2026

08/03/2026

Women's Day!

NGO Coalition on Child Rights joins the world in celebrating International Women’s Day as we recognize and celebrate the strength, resilience, leadership, and contributions of women and girls who continue to shape stronger families, communities, and nations.

Today we also celebrate the incredible women within our organization whose dedication and passion continue to drive our work for children’s rights.

Happy International Women’s Day!

07/03/2026