Challenges Faced by Social Work Students during Field Placements in Malawi

Abstract

Field placements are an integral component of social work education, offering students critical opportunities for experiential learning and professional development. Field placement provides an opportunity for students to use knowledge gained in the classroom to test and improve their skills through experience. In the process, they gain more knowledge, gain confidence by working with clients and confirm their skills. However social work students in Malawi face numerous challenges during field placement. This paper explores the experiences of social work students during their field placements in Malawi. Based on the interviews of twenty-two social work students from The Catholic University of Malawi who completed field placements in 2024 in different institutions such as non-governmental institutions, government agencies, not for profit organization and charity agencies, this research revealed that students encountered many ethical difficulties in field placements. Findings reveal that while field placements provide invaluable hands-on experience, challenges such as limited resources, cultural barriers, emotional burden, poor orientation and readiness, a disconnect between theory and practice, and inadequate supervision frequently hinder the learning process. These challenges significantly hinder students’ ability to develop practical skills, professional identity and confidence in applying classroom knowledge to real life situations. The study highlights the critical role of effective field education in bridging academic learning with professional practice. It underscores the need for improved collaboration between academic institutions and field agencies, better supervision structures, and preparatory training to support students’ readiness for placement. The findings have important implications for curriculum design, pedagogical approaches, and the overall quality of social work education and practice.