Concerned students task force, a grouping of students from Universities and Colleges in the country, have set June 5 this year to present their petition to government on calls to consider reopening of schools.
On 23rd March, 2020 President Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika directed the closure of all schools as one of the measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.
Leader of the taskforce who spoke on condition of anonymity said on Friday that they want government to hear their side of the story on reopening of schools following their closure.
“We have felt a great impact after government announced the closure of schools in the country. So our petition will border much on explaining consequences due to the closure and also providing recommendations.
“We feel like schools can be reopened and find ways on how to avoid the spread of the coronavirus at campuses. In colleges and universities we are all matured people and we can easily observe all precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the virus while proceeding with our education,” he said.
He, therefore, urged government to consider the partial re-opening of schools to allow students in their final years to complete their studies.
“For example fourth years Chancellor College student had two months to complete their studies. If these students are recalled it means there will be only few at the campus,” he said.
Recently government formed a national planning task force to look into the possibility of reopening of schools in the wake of Covid-19.
The task-force was formed against the background of consideration from the Ministry of Education to consider the reopening of schools.
So far, the country has recorded 203 confirmed Covid-19 cases with 4 deaths and 203 recoveries.
