Contradicting Learning Environments between Rural and Urban: The Case of Malawi

Abstract

Education is the strongest tool which enables people to live and progress to their supreme potential [27]. It is for this reason that education should be accessible to all and be of the highest quality if countries are to yield meaningful educational outcomes. Literature has indicated that rural learning environment in Malawi is contrary to urban ones despite of learners being treated equally when it comes to examinations and selection to higher learning institutions [23]. This paper was therefore compelled to look at contradicting educational learning environment between rural and urban learning institutions of both primary and secondary institutions. The critical emphasis was based on two areas: i. Quality and quantity of teaching staff and ii. Learner's environment. Based on the desk study, the findings disclosed that most rural scholars and teachers are denied of quality education environment. The lack of government and other educational players commitment to educational sector in terms of: Training teachers, teacher's welfare, learning infrastructures, teaching and learning materials and under or no funding contributes to poor rural educational misery. The paper finally makes recommendations on how best rural and urban education can have equal quality teaching and learning environment in order to yield progressive lives and potential developmental for the country and world at large.