Lois Openenda is a Malawian educationist who has dedicated her life to improving the quality of education in her country. She was born on February 15, 1948, and grew up in a rural village in Malawi.
Openenda began her career as a teacher at the age of 17, and she quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most respected educators in Malawi. In 1975, she became the first female principal of a secondary school in Malawi, and in 1982, she became the first woman to be appointed head of a university in Africa.
In 1986, Openenda was appointed as the Minister of Education for Malawi, where she worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education in the country. She introduced many reforms, including the introduction of free primary education and the establishment of new schools across the country.
Under Openenda's leadership, Malawi made great strides in its efforts to improve the quality of education. The literacy rate increased from 64% in 1980 to 88% in 1990, and the enrollment rate of girls in primary school rose from 38% to 73%. These achievements were recognized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which awarded Openenda with the UNICEF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Education in 1994.
However, Openenda's work did not go unnoticed by those who opposed her policies. In 1994, she was arrested and charged with corruption, but she was later acquitted and released. Despite this setback, Openenda continued to fight for education reform and was re-elected as Minister of Education in 1999.
Today, Openenda is still actively involved in the education sector, and she continues to advocate for the rights of children and young people. Her legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of Malawians to work towards creating a better future for their country.