Delegates attending the Third Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX2026) have commended Malawi's efforts to strengthen foundational learning after visiting selected primary schools to appreciate how the country is implementing early grade education.

Namibia's Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, described the visits as inspiring, saying Malawi has demonstrated that quality foundational learning can be achieved through innovation and effective use of locally available resources. He said discussions with school heads and classroom observations showed why some of the schools are among the country's best performers.

Ballotti said one of the key lessons his delegation would take back to Namibia was the use of teacher made learning aids to support teaching, especially in schools with large enrolments,he noted that although many African countries face similar challenges, Malawi's experience has shown that teachers can be resourceful and still deliver quality learning.

On the financing of foundational learning, Ballotti acknowledged that limited resources remain a challenge across the continent but stressed that African governments must focus on investing wisely rather than merely increasing expenditure. However he observed that there is growing commitment among African countries to prioritise financing for foundational learning.

The delegates visited Mkwichi Primary School, Lilongwe Demonstration Primary School and Kakule Primary School, where they observed classroom lessons, interacted with teachers and learners, and witnessed different approaches being used to improve literacy and numeracy among children and digital skills .

Mkwichi Primary School Headteacher Bernard Matemba described the visit by the FLEX2026 delegates as a significant opportunity for the school to showcase Malawi's progress in foundational learning, he said the visit allowed education leaders from across Africa to observe how the school is using tablets and other digital technologies alongside learner centred teaching methods to improve literacy and numeracy among lower primary learners.

More than 600 education leaders, policymakers, researchers, development partners and practitioners from over 40 African countries are gathering in Malawi for FLEX2026. The event is being hosted by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) in partnership with the Government of Malawi, the African Union among others