Following the spike of Coronavirus in schools, President Lazarus Chakwera has announced the temporarily closure of schools for three weeks.
Chakwera made the announcement yesterday when he addressed the nation on the situation the country is in regarding the global pandemic, Coronavirus.
Chakwera said that the closure of schools is for those who are day scholars adding that those in boarding schools will have to remain in their campuses until health authorities asses the severity of infection in those schools to determine whether it is safe for those students to go home.
During this time of containment in boarding schools, the Taskforce will provide additional support to the schools to manage the students’ transition there, including communication with their guardians and parents.
Clarifying the president’s directive on closure of schools, the Ministry of Education has said that the order is not affecting those sitting for Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE).
“Ministry of Education would like to inform all students and the general public that the on-going writing of the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Examinations will continue as planned until the 29th January, 2021, under strict adherence of the COVID-19 preventive measures,” read the statement from the Ministry of Education.
The statement also said institutions of higher learning that already started administering end of semester examinations, will remain open until they finish the examinations. However, the Institutions of Higher learning are advised to adjust exam timetables so as to facilitate early completion of the exams.
“However, all other classes in primary and secondary schools and in institutions of higher learning will close with immediate effect as announced by the President,” stressed the statement.
Added the statement; “Students in boarding schools will remain in their respective campuses until health authorities assess the severity of infection in those schools to determine whether it is safe for those students to go home.”
Government has therefore asked teachers and lecturers to ensure that students are being engaged with school work throughout the holiday until schools reopen on February 8, 2021.
