Bedbugs Infest Hostels at Bangula Secondary School in Nsanje

Malawi-Students at Bangula Secondary School in Nsanje are struggling with sleepless nights due to the bedbug infestation in their hostels, writes Cornelius Lupenga.

A Form Four student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that both boys and girls have been affected by the insects for several weeks now.

The student alleged that all the hostels were treated with insecticides, but to their surprise, a boys' hostel still has bedbugs.

"The situation is unbearable. We can hardly get any sleep at night, and we have to study and attend classes during the day. It's affecting our academic performance," the student said.

When contacted for comment, the deputy headteacher for the school, Dhumisani Kamanga, neither confirmed nor denied the bedbug infestation.

"It happens in boarding secondary schools because such schools welcome students from various areas. So it is not too abnormal to have that," said the deputy headteacher.

Meanwhile, the school authorities have erected a tent to accommodate the affected boys while the issue is being addressed.

The school is urging students to report any bedbug sightings immediately so that the problem can be tackled promptly.