New Investment Policy Impact: Girls’ Underperformance in Boys Boarding Facilities Secondary Schools in Malawi

There seems to be a gap in the literature between access to schooling and learning outcomes among girls learning in boys boarding facilities secondary schools in Malawi. This study looks at how the new investment policy relates to Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations pass rate and public university selection for girls selected in boys boarding facilities schools from 2010-2019. This study adopted a multi-method approach utilizing formal interviews, official statistical records, focus group discussions, and questionnaires. There were 102 participants comprising female students, teachers, head teachers, and policy makers. The study collected and analyzed descriptive and inferential statistics to map a broad trend in girls’ academic achievement. It compared MSCE pass rate and public university selection rate between girls in district boarding schools and girls in boys boarding facilities schools. The results of this study showed that 67.38 % of the girls in district boarding facilities schools passed the Malawi School Certificate of Education Examinations, compared to 60.4 % of the female students enrolled as day students in boys boarding facilities schools. Additionally district boarding schools had 11.3 % public university selection rate compared to 7.3 % for boys boarding facility schools. This was attributed to the new investment policy impact as the policy lack student centric approach, hence raising equity concerns. Further studies are required to investigate additional educational outcomes, including employment and other areas of the students’ lives, after they have gone through the two school systems.