Health expertise key to school reopening in Malawi

Education stakeholders have agreed that all decisions for return to school will be based on proven science and public health expertise with best interests of learners and teachers.

Secretary for education, science and technology Justin Saidi has said this in a press release after an all stakeholder national planning meeting which was held on 13th May in Blantyre.
Saidi says the meeting was aimed at reflecting on the impact of school closure and the need to strategize on a safe return to learning.

He adds the guidelines were guided by global standards developed by UNICEF in collaboration with UNESCO, World Bank and World Food Program.

The secretary of Education Ministry says there is need for overall public health considerations based on an assessment of the associated benefits and risk-informed by cross-sectoral and context specific evidence.

Therefore the Ministry has appointed a national planning taskforce consisting of various stakeholders to better coordinate efforts in the fight against COVID-19 in the education sector.

To facilitate smooth running of operations of the taskforce Said says the team will operate under ten terms which include reorganize school calendar, advise ministry, consult widely and track sector resource mobilization
Meanwhile, member of the team Civil Society Education Coalition CSEC has said the committee is a fair representation of the stakeholders.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Islam, Executive director for CSEC Benedicto Kondowe, said the decision shows that the ministry has a listening ear as witnessed by the formulating of the task force.
Kondowe has however, asked parents and students to play their role in ensuring that they safeguard the right to education and health by working closely with the ministry of education.