More schoolchildren protest in Malawi:  Chaos in Lunzu

Learners in public primary school pupils in Lunzu, the outskirts of Blantyre on Tuesday  took to the streets to protest  violently against a nationwide teacher’s strike.

The teachers have downed the chalk over delayed payment of leave grants and other outstanding grievances.

The schoolchildren — some as young as six years —   setting tires on fire and pelting stones at cars passing by in the M1 road .

They were chanting anti-government songs :”we also want to drive vehicles one day, so no vehicle will pass here until our teachers’ strike is called off and we are back to class”.

The protesting students accused the Education Ministry of violating their right to education, because the children of politicians study in private schools, or abroad.

Some 40,000 public school teachers in Malawi began a nationwide strike last week, following the government’s failure to address several issues affecting their welfare.

“We are not returning to work until the government addresses our grievances,” Teachers Union of Malawi president Willie Malimba said.

The teachers’ union is battling with the government over 24 demands, which include failure to make salary adjustments and pay leave grants.

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe on Monday  told lawmakers, who are currently scrutinizing the upcoming national budget, that Treasury has processed teachers’ leave grants for 21 districts and that funds were expected to be remitted by close of business on Monday.