A qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted at Ndirande Primary School in the peri-urban area of Blantyre, Malawi in 2002. The aim was to describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards malaria among pupils. Forty pupils (20 boys and 20 girls) were recruited into four focus group discussions. There was very good knowledge about the role of the female Anopheles mosquito as an agent for transmission of malaria. Respondents were also aware of the clinical features of malaria and what measures could be taken to prevent the disease. However, the survey showed that many of the environmental modification measures were difficult to implement in the overcrowded peri-urban areas. Respondents did not believe that they could influence parents or other authorities in instituting environmental modification interventions. We conclude that children are unlikely to be effective change agents if the social environment does not offer them the opportunity to influence key community figures.