THE MALAWI NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS BOARD
2022 MALAWI SCHOOL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION
CHIEF EXAMINER’S REPORT
SOCIAL STUDIES (M193)
GENERAL COMMENTS ON:
A. QUALITY OF THE PAPER
The 2022 MSCE Social Studies comprised of paper I and II. Paper I has 50
multiple choice questions and paper II has 10 structured questions. The
papers were generally fair and adequately sampled the syllabus. The
language used was appropriate to the level of the candidates and had no typo
errors. The paper tested various skills according to the cognitive domain
levels ranging from low to higher order.
B. CANDIDATES’ PERFORMANCE
The performance was average. It was observed that a good number of
candidates from conventional and boarding schools performed better than
candidates from community day secondary schools. It was also observed that
external and ODL candidates in urban areas performed better than those
from rural areas. Similarly, community day secondary schools from urban
areas performed better than those from rural areas. This performance is
possibly due to the following reasons:
Inadequate coverage of the syllabus
Lack of seriousness among learners possibly due to misconceptions
that Social Studies is a simple subject.
Lack of mastery of concepts possibly due to a wide scope of syllabus
coverage i.e. from junior and senior secondary being covered for
examinations.
Over- emphasis on same topics while the syllabus is wide.
C. COMMENTS ON PERFORMANCE OF CANDIDATES ON
INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS
PAPER I
Question 1
The question demanded candidates to choose social service which is essential for
industrial production process. Most candidates got it right.
Question 2
The question demanded candidates to choose a reason that made teaching in adult
literacy programme as a national service. It was a comprehension question very
few candidates got it right.
Question 3
The question asked the candidates to choose factors that increase vulnerability to
earthquakes. Most candidates failed this question.
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Question 4
The question demanded candidates to choose types of labour laws in Malawi. The
majority of the candidates got it right.
Question 5
The question asked the candidates to choose the irresponsible human practice on
wildlife. Most candidates got it right.
Question 6 and 7
The questions were based on the case study in which the people in area Y
maintained a school block whose roof was blown off by strong winds. The
majority failed this question as they were failing to relate the case study with the
questions.
Question 8
The question asked the candidates to choose the bodies that determine when and
where United Nations peace keeping operations should be deployed. Most
candidates got this question correct they were able to choose the Security Council
as the correct answer.
Question 9
The question asked the candidates to choose the dimension which involves transfer
of power to use revenue collected. Most candidates failed this question.
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Questions 10 and 11
The questions were based on case study in which a sixteen-year-old boy was found
guilty for having sex with a three-year-old girl. The majority of candidates got it
right which shows that they understood the case study and were able to relate with
the questions.
Question 12
The candidates were demanded to choose the term that is given to a pledge of
asserts that one makes with the bank in order to access a loan. Most candidates got
it right.
Question 13
The question asked the candidates to choose the civic duties of a citizen. Most
candidates chose the correct answer.
Question 14
The question demanded the candidates to choose the aspects of development which
is achieved when people use money cards. The candidates were able to choose
‘technological’ as the correct answer.
Question 15
The question demanded candidates to choose the elements of East6 African culture
which was due to interaction with the Arabs. The majority got it right.
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Question 16
The question asked the candidates to choose the programmes used for
implementing population policies in Malawi. Most candidates got it right.
Question 17
The question demanded the candidates to choose the characteristics of social skills.
Most candidates got it right.
Question 18
The question demanded the candidates to choose from the options given what was
not key element of international labour laws was. Most candidates failed this
question.
Question 19
The question asked the candidates to choose the main role of citizens in
formulating and changing taxes. The majority got it right
Question 20
The question demanded candidates to choose the policy which is aimed at
protecting domestic infant industries. The majority of the candidate got it right.
Question 21
The question demanded candidates to choose the name of earnings from shares
earned in a company. Most candidates got it right.
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Question 22
The question demanded candidates to choose the role of international court of
justice. Very few candidates got it right.
Question 23
The question demanded candidates to choose the factor that affect implementation
of conventions for protecting human rights. Most candidates’ had challenges of
choosing the correct option hence they failed.
Questions 24 and 25
The questions were based on the case study where the people of Dalura village
were consulted and trained before the construction of a bridge in the area. Most
candidates failed this question as they failed to relate the case study with the
demand of the questions.
Question 26
The question demanded candidates to choose the social services needed by special
groups. Most candidates got it right.
Question 27
The question asked the candidates to choose the reason for controlling population
growth. The majority chose the correct answer.
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Question 28
The question asked candidates to choose how the Centre for Human Rights
Rehabilitation promotes rights for special groups. Most candidates got it right.
Question 29
The question demanded candidates to choose the principles of taxation that
describe collection of tax just enough for provision of public services. Very few
candidates got it right probably due to inadequate coverage of the syllabus as the
topic is at the end of the syllabus.
Question 30
The question demanded the candidates to choose a way of avoiding conflicts. Most
candidates performed very well.
Question 31
Candidates were asked to choose the laws that are gender biased. Most candidates
got it right.
Question 32
The question demanded the candidates to choose the attempts that Malawi has
made in order to promote gender equality in education. Very few candidates got it
right.
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Question 33
The question demanded candidates to choose the institution that protects economic
rights of citizens. The majority got it right.
Question 34
The question asked the candidates to choose the importance of nations depending
on each other. Most candidates got it right.
Question 35
The question demanded candidates to choose the term that refers to fairness and
principles of justice. It was fairly performed.
Question 36
The question demanded candidates to choose the international organizations that
foster development. Most candidates got it right.
Question 37
Candidates were asked to choose a way that could not help in preventing violence.
Most candidates got it right.
Question 38
The question demanded candidates to choose an indicator of political development.
The majority passed.
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Question 40
The question demanded candidates to choose a special group of people. Most
candidates got it right.
Question 41
The question demanded candidates to choose an institution responsible for taxes in
Malawi. Most
Question 42
The question demanded candidates to choose an example of direct tax. The
majority failed.
Question 43
The candidates were asked to choose the factor that has contributed to rapid
population growth in Malawi.
Question 44
The question demanded candidates to choose the factor that enhances
multiculturalism. Most candidates got it right.
Question 45
The question demanded candidates to choose the fundamental principle of the
constitution of Republic of Malawi. The majority got it correct.
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Question 46
The question asked the candidates to choose the impact of climate change in
Malawi. Most candidates performed very well.
Question 47
The question asked the candidates to choose the types of families that are likely to
be large. Most candidates got it right
Question 48
The question demanded candidates to choose the characteristic of African cultures.
Most candidates got it right.
Question 49
The question asked the candidates to choose one way of becoming a citizen by
tracing where one’s parents are coming from. Most candidates got it right; they
were able to choose descent as the correct answer.
Question 50
Candidates were asked to choose the arm of government responsible for
interpretation of the laws and policies of a nation. The majority got it right.
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PAPER II
SECTION A (70 MARKS)
Question 1 a
The question required the candidates to state any two examples of unlimited rights.
This was attempted by almost all. Unfortunately, most candidates got only one
point right. They gave examples of limited rights like right to education and right
to privacy.
Question 1 b
The question required the candidates to explain any two ways in which
preservation of culture is important. Though a popular question, most candidates
missed the demands of the question. They gave answers for the ways of preserving
culture and the importance of multiculturalism.
Question 1 c
The question required the candidates to explain any two roles of Unions and
Associations. It was attempted by most candidates and they got it right. Those who
failed gave examples of unions and associations such as Teachers Union of Malawi
and Tobacco Association of Malawi.
Question 2 a
The question required the candidates to state any two conventions meant for the
protection of human rights for the special groups. It was attempted by most
candidates but performed poorly. They were stating the rights of special groups
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and conventions that promote human rights for the special groups such as
Conventions on the Right of the Child.
Question 2 b
The question required the candidate to describe any two weaknesses of a Written
Constitution. It was attempted by most candidates and they got it right. Those who
failed were listing the weakness of the government like failure to construct roads
and bridges. Some were regarding a constitution as a book that could be damaged
by termites or rains.
Question 2 c
The question required the candidates to describe any two types of development
work undertaken by International Organization in developing countries. It was
attempted by most candidates who got it wrong. They were giving aspects of
development such as social, political, economic and technological development.
This implies that they did not understand the demands of the question.
Question 3 a
The question required the candidates to mention any two forms of violence in the
home. It was attempted by most candidates who got it right. Those who failed gave
general forms of violence instead of focusing on those that occur in the home.
Question 3 b
The question required the candidates to describe any two roles of Opposition
Political Parties in a democratic country. It was attempted by most candidates but
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the majority failed. They were focusing on political atmosphere instead of “role of
parties in democracy”. Some even gave the roles of Members of Parliament such
as making laws or representing their constituents.
Question 3 c
The question required the candidates to describe any two successes made by the
International Organization in promoting social justice. It was attempted by very
few candidates and the performance was poor. They were confused with the term
“successes”.
Question 4 a
The question required the candidates to give one way through which the Central
Government of Malawi sources its revenue. Most candidates attempted it and got it
right. Those who failed were mentioning types of banks and sources of revenue for
the Local Government such as market fees
Question 4 b (i)
The question required the candidates to give the term that best describes the
situation faced by support staff as portrayed in the Case Study on a support staff
who obtained a loan from a village bank but failed to repay and later decided to run
away. Most candidates attempted it though their performance was poor. They
responded to it as if it were coming from Comprehension Passage. They failed to
relate the Case Study to the question.
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Question 4 b (ii)
The question required the candidates to explain any two possible causes of such a
situation. Most candidates attempted it though the majority failed. The answers
given were far –fetched and did not match with the Case Study in question. Some
answered it as a Comprehension Question.
Question 4 c
The question required the candidates to explain any two environmental impacts of
refugees in the World. Most candidates attempted it and got it right. Those who
failed were giving the causes of refugees’ crises in the World. Some failed because
they did not appreciate the significance of the word “environmental impacts” hence
they gave any impacts of refugees like; exerting pressure on food, housing and
health.
Question 5 a
The question required the candidates to mention any two key elements of
population policies in Malawi. It was attempted by most candidates but they failed.
They gave a variety of responses like factors that contribute to population change
such as birth rate, death rate and family planning.
Question 5 b
The question required the candidates to describe any two challenges faced in the
implementation of Conventions for protection of refugees in the World. Most
candidates attempted it but failed. They were giving the impacts of refugees in a
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country instead of the challenges faced in the implementation of Convections.
Some still lacked mastery of subject matter.
Question 5 c
The question required the candidates to explain any two ways in which setting
standards in provision of social services are important. Most candidates attempted
it and their performance was good. Those who failed gave the importance of social
services. Others gave the conditions to be considered when providing social
services like type, availability, accessibility and affordability.
Question 6 a
The question required candidates to give any two ways in which citizens can
participate in National Service. Most candidates attempted it and got it right. Those
who failed were mentioning ways of participating in Civil Society such as
attending meetings and being active members.
Question 6 b
The question required candidates to explain any two factors that can help to
preserve marriage. Most candidates attempted it but performed poorly. They were
mentioning factors to be considered when choosing a marriage partner like
building a home, sound economic base, religion and long courtship period.
Question 6 c
The question required candidates to describe any two programs that have been put
in place to implement the Malawi Population Policy. Most candidates attempted it
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but failed. They gave radio/TV programs aired on Local and International Media
houses, instead of programs on Malawi Population Policy.
Question 7 a (i)
The question required the candidates to give a term that best describes the initiative
made by the two countries as portrayed in the Case Study on which country X and
Y made an initiative to address duplication on the issue of taxation between them.
Most candidates attempted it but their performance was poor. They failed to related
the Case Study to a topic, “ax Agreement” hence lost marks. Others were just
mentioning the word agreement.
Question 7 a (ii)
The question required the candidates to explain any two positive impacts of the
initiative on national developments of the two countries. Most candidates
attempted it but their performance was poor. Some gave the importance of
cooperation in general. Others responded to it as if it were a Comprehension
question.
Question 7b
The question required the candidates to state any one tax offence. Most candidates
attempted it and got it right. Those who failed regarded “offence” as “office” and
gave MRA as an answer.
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Question 7c
The question required the candidates to explain any two effects of over-
indebtedness in a country. Most candidates attempted it and got it correct.
SECTION B ESSAYS (30 MARKS)
Question 8
The question required the candidates to explain any five factors that prevent
prospective customers from accessing financial services. Very few candidates
attempted it and got it right. Those who failed were giving critical issues relating to
the provision of social services such as type, affordability, accessibility and
availability.
Question 9
The question required the candidates to explain any five positive impacts of
multiculturalism on development. It was attempted by most candidates and got it
right. Those who failed gave factors that promote multiculturalism such as trade
and ethnicity. Some gave the ways of preserving culture such as through
curriculum and media.
Question 10
The question required the candidates to describe any five qualities of responsible
parenthood. Most candidates attempted it and their performance was good. Those
who failed were giving virtues of a parent such as love, honesty and self-control.
Some were focusing on the provision of basic necessities leaving out the qualities.
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RECOMMENDATIONS TO:
(i) SCHOOLS
Teachers should cover the syllabus adequately before students sit for
exams.
Prescribed Textbooks should be purchased as reference materials to
both students and teachers.
In-Service Trainings should be organized and conducted to drill
teachers on challenging topics.
Students should be trained on how to write essays and tackle Case –
Study questions
(ii) MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Purchase and distribute enough approved Text Books.
Train and deploy teachers.
……………………………………….
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