Ministry of Education Extends Suspension of Classes in Cyclone-Affected Districts

Malawi-The Ministry of Education in Malawi has announced an extension of the temporary suspension of primary and secondary school classes in the Cyclone Freddy most affected education districts until March 31, 2023, writes Winston Mwale. 

The suspension will allow for the certification of unsafe school structures and the restoration of necessary infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.

Classes will resume on 17th April 2023, when Term 3 commences, while learners sitting for national and international examinations will return to school on 27th March 2023 to begin exam preparations.

The ministry says it will work with district councils and other stakeholders to mobilize support for the safe reopening of schools.

To ensure continuity of learning during the suspension period, the Ministry has put in place learner-targeted radio lessons, online lessons, and carefully designed learner-centred secondary school learning materials that can be accessed through the Ministry's website.

The Ministry is calling upon development partners, community leaders, parents, guardians, and all stakeholders to support the recovery process of learners and access the radio lessons and digital learning materials available.

Immediate requirements for the resumption of classes include temporary classrooms, toilets, textbooks, and scholastic materials such as movable chalkboards, chalk, dusters, notebooks, and gadgets to support digital learning.

As of Friday, 17th March 2023, around 230 schools were being used as holding camps for internally displaced communities, according to the Ministry's statement.