Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA) has asked the Ministry of Health to put a waiver on the extension of school closures amid a decline in new Covid-19 cases. 

The call comes just four days before the expiry of a two-week extension of school closures from February 8 to 24, 2021 in order to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Chikondano Mussa and Secretary for Health, Charles Mwansambo, said the extension followed the situation of the pandemic at that time.

Speaking to YFM on Wednesday, ISAMA president, Joseph Patel, said its members are ready to resume teaching whilst adhering to all Covid-19 preventive guidelines.

He said further delay in reopening schools will negatively affect students as it happened during the first wave where more cases of child abuses and teenage pregnancies were recorded.

“You can call recall during the first phase many students were affected as indicated by number of early marriages and teenage pregnancies,” he said.

ISAMA president, Joseph Patel also said many private schools do not have the problem of congestion which will not pose any risk on the children.

Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda is yet to respond to the matter.