A GOOD EDUCATION DESPITE POVERTY
Madalitso Mbalazada experienced the opening of St. Mauritius Secondary School in October 2022 as the school principal. There are now 300 pupils at St. Mauritius School, which ranks among the top schools in Malawi. It is a model of value-based, motivational teaching and learning. We spoke to Madalitso Mbalazada about this.
Mr. Mbalazada, how has the school been developing since it opened?
Madalitso Mbalazada: The school opened with 100 students. We had two classroom blocks, a laboratory and an administrative block, four teachers’ houses and a kitchen. We finished building the hostel, our students’ living quarters, just four months after opening.
Since September 2025 we have been a full secondary school with a total of 400 students. However, so far we have no hall; the students eat outside, where we have a little shelter. Assemblies are difficult especially in the rainy season.
Another challenge is the lack of accommodation for teachers on site. Currently a vehicle that was given by the diocese takes the teachers from their home to school and back. That’s not sustainable. And yet another issue is that a good number of students come from very poor families; they can’t pay school fees. Currently, at least 25 out of 300 students at St. Mauritius receive financial aid.
Otherwise the school is a great achievement. The environment is very conducive for learning. Our community of teachers is very committed. We managed to achieve a top position in a national ranking in 2024 and 2025. We are very grateful for the support from our partners in Germany and for the beautiful new classroom block.
“I know what our students are going through, especially those that come from poor backgrounds. And I know what can become of them when they get the chance to be at a school like St. Mauritius.”
Your students achieve above-average results. What is the key to your success?
Madalitso Mbalazada: The good results are fruits of the commitment and the discipline of both students and teachers. I welcome every student when they arrive. I explain the school rules and expectations. When they accept them, it means that they want to be here. The rules must be followed, and I am very strict on that. Discipline is paramount.
Aber ich weiß auch, dass unsere Schüler schon in jungen Jahren viele Hürden überwinden mussten. Ich habe an mir selbst erfahren und sehe jeden Tag, welche Möglichkeiten eine hochwertige Bildung und positive Werte schaffen können. Daraus beziehe ich eine sehr starke Motivation, meine Schüler gut zu begleiten. I know what our students are going through, especially those that come from poor backgrounds. I know what will become of them when they cannot go to school, and I know what can become of them when they get the chance to be at a school like St Mauritius. My motivation is intrinsic. Even when conditions are hard, I know I can work harder and achieve.
The same is true for the teachers. Currently we have 17 teachers in our team. Apart from teaching in class, they have to be an example and help the students to live in a responsible way. We have a lovely community. There are times when we face problems – and solve them together. And there are times when we celebrate our achievements together.
How do you look back on your time at St. Ignatius School?
Madalitso Mbalazada: At St. Ignatius I was deputy headmaster. We faced challenges there as well, but the presence of Father John Moyo was extremely helpful. He used to come to school every day, talked to all of us, encouraged us. My achievement there was that I truly learned to help others.
My dedication is in-born. I come from a very poor family, I had no father, my mother was helpless, so I was adopted by another family. Later I got a scholarship from Canada for secondary school, and I even went to university. I was educated by well-wishers, and I feel I have the duty to educate others.
I know what our students are going through, especially those that come from poor backgrounds. I know what will become of them when they cannot go to school, and I know what can become of them when they get the chance to be at a school like St Mauritius.
My motivation is intrinsic. Even when conditions are hard, I know I can work harder and achieve.
"Poverty should not be a limiting factor."
What is your vision for young people in Malawi?
Madalitso Mbalazada: The main challenge for the young people in Malawi is poverty. Very few young have access to good schools like St Mauritius. Young people often do not go far with their education because the economic status of their families is miserable. We have early marriages; violence and criminality are at a peak now because of helplessness; corruption by high officials is a problem.
I’d love for young people who come to St. Mauritius to be able to access quality education and succeed in life. Poverty should not be a limiting factor. That is only possible if those who are able to do so dedicate themselves to assisting those who are less privileged. Our government is not helpful. I want to have a country where the majority of people live to uplift others.