Malawi moves to make education free as it abolishes school fees

Memory Chazeza Mdyetseni, Director and founder of the Atsikana Pa Ulendo Girls Secondary School watches student Tamandani Mdyetseni write in his exercise book in a Grade One Class at the primary section of the school on the outskirts of Lilongwe, Malawi, on 25 September, 2017. AFP - AMOS GUMULIRA

Malawi's newly elected president, 85-year-old Peter Mutharika, has delivered on his campaign promise to make primary and secondary education free by abolishing almost all school-related fees.

In a bid to improve literacy levels in the country, Mutharika has announced that tuition fees, examination fees, school development fees and fees for identity cards used during examinations have all been abolished.