Following the extended closure of schools in the Southern Region of Malawi, one of the social commentators who is also an educationist, Benedicto Kondowe, commends the government for the closure to save lives, however, he lobbies the government to consider candidates who are sitting for this year’s examinations.
Kondowe argues that there should be a deliberate decision to take into consideration the plight of this year’s national examination candidates in the Southern Region of the country.
“There was school closure due to the escalation of cholera cases in the Southern Region. At that time candidates in other regions of the country were learning.
“Now we have Cyclone Freddy devastation hitting the south again and classes have been suspended. This is understandable, however, how will students in this region compete fairly with fellow candidates in other regions during the upcoming national examinations?” wondered Kondowe.
He further suggested that the government through the Ministry of Education should devise a strategy that will help learners make up for the lost five weeks or more due to Cyclone Freddy and the cholera outbreak.
He then urged all Malawians of goodwill and the donor community to step up efforts to support victims of Cyclone Freddy so that when the situation normalises schools should reopen.
In a statement, the Ministry of Education announced an extension of school closure due to the devastation induced by Cyclone Freddy.
Schools in Southern Region are expected to reopen next academic term.
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