ATEM National Drama Finals Ignite Youth Talent at BICC as 12 Schools Compete for Top Honors!

Reported by Mustapha Omolabake Omowumi, Managing Editor | Sele Media Malawi.

The spotlight is firmly on Malawi’s emerging theatre talent this weekend as twelve secondary schools from across the country’s six education divisions converge at the prestigious Bingu International Convention Centre for the national finals of the Association for the Teaching of English in Malawi (ATEM) drama competition.

The two-day cultural showcase, which concludes on Sunday, has drawn widespread attention from educators, arts advocates, and stakeholders in the creative sector, highlighting the growing role of drama and performance arts in Malawi’s secondary education system.

Organized by the Association for the Teaching of English in Malawi, the competition is regarded as one of the country’s most important platforms for nurturing student creativity, communication skills, and literary expression through performance arts.

This year’s national finals are being supported by Standard Bank Malawi through its widely recognized Joy of the Arts initiative, which has injected a sponsorship package valued at K35 million into the programme. The initiative underscores the bank’s continued investment in youth development, education, and creative industries in Malawi.

A NATIONAL STAGE FOR EMERGING TALENT

The twelve participating schools earned their places in the national finals after emerging as winners from their respective education divisions across Malawi. These divisions represent the country’s six main educational regions, ensuring that the competition reflects a truly national representation of young talent.

Each school brings forward carefully prepared stage performances that reflect months of training, rehearsals, and guidance from teachers and drama patrons. The performances are expected to explore a range of themes, including social issues, cultural identity, education, governance, youth empowerment, and moral values.

Education stakeholders note that the ATEM drama competition has, over the years, become more than just an academic or extracurricular activity. It has evolved into a developmental platform where students sharpen their communication skills, critical thinking, confidence, and teamwork abilities.

Speaking through organizers, ATEM reaffirmed that the competition is designed not only to promote English language proficiency but also to empower students to express themselves creatively and confidently in public spaces.

STRONG SUPPORT FOR CREATIVE EDUCATION

The involvement of Standard Bank Malawi through its Joy of the Arts initiative has been widely welcomed by educators and cultural advocates. The sponsorship package of K35 million is seen as a strong statement of support for creative education and youth development in the country.

Corporate support for arts-based education in Malawi has been steadily growing in recent years, as stakeholders increasingly recognize the role of creative industries in national development, employment creation, and youth engagement.

According to education sector observers, partnerships like this help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, particularly in communication, arts, and performance-based disciplines.

The Joy of the Arts initiative has previously supported various cultural and creative programmes, positioning itself as one of the key private sector contributors to Malawi’s growing creative economy.

COMPETITION STRUCTURE AND PRIZES

The ATEM national drama finals are structured as a competitive showcase, with each participating school performing before a panel of judges drawn from education and performing arts backgrounds.

Judging criteria typically include originality of script, stage presence, clarity of message, language use, creativity, teamwork, and overall production quality.

At the end of the two-day competition, schools will be ranked based on performance, with substantial cash prizes set aside to reward excellence and encourage continued participation.

The prize structure for this year’s competition is as follows:

1st Place: K2.5 million

2nd Place: K1.6 million

3rd Place: K1 million

4th Place: K700,000

5th Place: K500,000

Organizers say the prizes are intended not only as rewards but also as motivation for schools to continue investing in drama clubs and creative development programmes.

EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT

Beyond competition and awards, the ATEM drama programme has long been recognized as a critical tool in Malawi’s education system. Teachers and education experts emphasize that drama enhances students’ understanding of literature, improves public speaking skills, and fosters confidence among learners.

In many schools, drama clubs serve as safe spaces where students can explore real-life issues such as early marriage, substance abuse, gender equality, climate change, and civic responsibility.

Education analysts also highlight the role of drama in improving English language proficiency, particularly in rural and underserved schools where access to advanced language learning resources may be limited.

By performing scripts in English, students are exposed to practical language use, helping to improve fluency, comprehension, and articulation.

CULTURAL EXPRESSION AND NATIONAL IDENTITY

The ATEM national drama competition also plays a significant role in promoting Malawi’s cultural identity. Many performances incorporate local storytelling traditions, music, dance, and social commentary, reflecting the diversity of the country’s cultural landscape.

Cultural commentators argue that such platforms are essential in preserving indigenous narratives while also adapting them to modern educational contexts.

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the creative arts as a viable pathway for youth empowerment, with increasing calls for stronger institutional support from both government and private sector stakeholders.

BROADER CONTEXT: ARTS AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN MALAWI

The ongoing competition comes at a time when Malawi is experiencing increased advocacy for investment in the creative sector. Across the continent, arts and culture are increasingly being viewed as engines of economic growth, tourism, and youth employment.

In Malawi, initiatives like ATEM’s drama competition are helping to build foundational skills among young people who may later pursue careers in theatre, media, education, public relations, and other communication-related fields.

Stakeholders continue to call for sustained investment in arts education, including better infrastructure, teacher training, and funding for extracurricular activities.

EXPECTATIONS AS FINALS CONTINUE

As the competition progresses toward its conclusion on Sunday, anticipation remains high among participating schools and supporters. Each performance is expected to bring unique storytelling approaches and creative interpretations, making the final judgment highly competitive.

Organizers have urged participants to maintain discipline, creativity, and respect throughout the event, emphasizing that the competition is ultimately about learning and growth rather than just winning.

The atmosphere at the BICC is expected to remain vibrant, with schools showcasing not only talent but also the diversity and creativity of Malawi’s younger generation.

CONCLUSION

The ATEM national drama finals continue to stand as a significant platform for nurturing artistic expression, communication skills, and youth development in Malawi. With strong institutional backing from educational bodies and corporate sponsors like Standard Bank Malawi, the competition reflects a growing recognition of the importance of creative education in shaping the country’s future.

As the final curtain draws closer, all eyes remain on the young performers who are not only competing for prizes but also shaping their futures through the power of storytelling and performance.

Sources
Association for the Teaching of English in Malawi (ATEM) official programme communications

Standard Bank Malawi
Joy of the Arts initiative information

Bingu International Convention Centre event hosting records

.Reputable Malawian media coverage and education reporting outlets (including The Nation, Times Group Malawi, and Malawi24 reporting on education and arts programmes)