ISAMA criticizes decision to close schools in response to cholera outbreak, calls for prevention measures and rescission of closure
“ISAMA is calling for the decision to defer the opening of schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe to be reversed and for schools to open as scheduled on Monday, January 9, 2023.,” said the ISAMA President.
Malawi: The Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA) has expressed concern over the Ministry of Health's decision to close schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe due to the cholera outbreak.
In a press statement signed by its president, Wycliffe Chimwendo, ISAMA criticized the lack of engagement with independent schools and the lack of consideration for examination classes and previous exam performance.
“ISAMA is calling for the decision to defer the opening of schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe to be reversed and for schools to open as scheduled on Monday, January 9, 2023.,” said ISAMA President Chimwendo.
The association also pointed out that while schools in the affected cities were closed, students from those cities attending school in other districts were allowed to continue, raising questions about the risk of spread.
ISAMA also raised concerns about the lack of control measures in place to counter the spread of cholera and the neglect of sanitation in the cities.
As a result, the association has demanded that the decision to close schools be rescinded and that prevention materials be provided to both public and private schools.
The association has called on the Ministry of Health to take immediate action to accelerate control measures against the spread of cholera.
