Private schools lament school opening suspension

The government’s decision to suspend the opening of schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe is receiving heavy criticism from players in the education sector.

The Presidential Taskforce on Coronavirus and Cholera has suspended reopening of primary and secondary schools in the aforementioned cities as a way of containing the spread of the disease.

Reacting to the development however, President of the Private Schools Association of Malawi – PRISAM Amon Mtafya has argued that the government should have used other means of preventing the spread of the disease in schools rather than suspending classes.

He suggests the need to allow those in the examination classes to continue with their studies since they will be behind the syllabus while their friends elsewhere continue learning.

Through his Facebook Page, education policy analyst and advocate Limbani Nsapato has argued that; “the government’s decision inconveniences parents, children and school owners at a time the economy is tight.”

Commenting on the development, a public health expert Maureen Chirwa underscores that the decision should have applied across the country because the disease has not left out any district;

Meanwhile, Executive Director for Civil Society Education Coalition Benedicto Kondowe has advised government authorities to be proactive and not reactive suggesting that the outbreak started way back.

But addressing the press this morning education Minister Agness Nyalonje has indicated that they are considering how learners in exam classes can be assisted amid the circumstances.