CSEC Condemns School Vandalism, Calls for Swift Action
In a strongly-worded statement issued on March 19, CSEC called the incident "reprehensible" and part of a "disturbing trend" of school vandalism across Malawi.
LILONGWE, Malawi - The Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) has strongly condemned the vandalism at Kamwanya Community Day Secondary School in Mchinji district, where 7,200 textbooks were burned and ICT laboratories damaged, writes Winston Mwale.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on March 19, CSEC called the incident "reprehensible" and part of a "disturbing trend" of school vandalism across Malawi.
Nine secondary schools have already fallen victim, it said.
The group praised the arrests of nine students involved in the Kamwanya vandalism but said more needs to be done to curb such acts of indiscipline.
"We are resolute in our commitment to uphold discipline and safeguard educational institutions from acts of vandalism," the statement said.
"We urge parents, guardians, religious leaders, community members, NGOs and all stakeholders to collaborate with government in addressing the root causes."
CSEC advocates for stringent penalties against perpetrators including prosecution, financial restitution for damages, and expulsion from public schools. It also called on parents to instill ethical values in their children.
The closure of schools in Ntcheu due to vandalism underscores the severity of the issue, CSEC said.
At Kamwanya, the library stocked with textbooks was burned to ashes just two weeks after a similar incident at Mphomwa CDSS in Kasungu.
"This act of destruction resulted in the loss of 7,200 textbooks and damage to ICT laboratories," said CSEC Executive Director Benedicto Kondowe.
"It is a grave affront to the principles of education and progress."
CSEC Board Chairperson Dr. Limbani Nsapato, who co-signed the statement, emphasized that teachers must promote dialogue to peacefully resolve disputes on campus.
The coalition vowed its resources to help address indiscipline in schools and create a conducive learning environment.