As it is not clear if schools will reopen on February 22, Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA) has written the Ministry of Health asking for a waiver to allow private schools to reopen on Monday.

ISAMA president Joseph Pater confirmed to have written the Ministry adding that in case government extends school closure due to Covid-19.

Early January, President Lazarus Chakwera announced temporarily closure of schools as the country was registering increased cases of the virus.

After the three weeks ended, Ministry of education from the advice from the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19, extended the school closure to two weeks and it is expected to end on Monday, February, 22.

Patel added that private schools have few students as compared to public schools hence it’s easier to adhere to Covid-19 preventive measures, adding that there are students who need to write Malawi National Examination Board examinations this year.

Isama points out that prolonged closure would disadvantage the students, leading to child marriages and pregnancies as well as building a cohort of people “who would never love education.”

Ministry of Health spokesperson, Joshua Malango has asked for time before commenting on the matter.