MHRC warns against indefinite closure of schools because of Covid-19
Malawi Human Rights Commissioner (MHRC) has warmed government against closure of schools without a well thought strategy.
MHRC says closing schools is not best solution because Covid-19 is likely to stay for long and doing so would affect the socio-economic status of teachers and other workers.
“Government should come up with measures that enable right to education to be enjoyed by all children while at the same time safeguarding right to life in the context of Covid-19, as it is evident the pandemic may not end soon,” reads a statement from MHRC.
The commission alls for an appeal for inclusive leadership and collective responsibility in response and recovery efforts amid escalating cases of Covid-19 in the country.
The statement is signed by the Commission’s Executive Secretary Habiba Osman.
President Lazarus Chakwera ordered on Sunday closure of schools for three weeks as a measure of containing Covid-19 among learners.
MHRC says business or life must continue despite the pandemic and that any decision to close schools must be accompanied by a well thought through plan.
“Any decision around indefinite closure of schools in the context of Covid-19 must be accompanied by a well thought through strategy to ensure continuity of education as well as address psychosocial economic plight of both teachers and learners in the context indefinite closure of schools. The closure of schools led to many teachers and other workers losing their jobs or not getting their remuneration…,” reads the statement.
The Commission accuses government through the Ministries of Education and Health of being slow and reactive in its preventive and responsive to the second wave of Covid-19 in schools which has led to deaths of both teachers and learners.
The commission observes that the deaths and lack of proper strategy are worrisome because they have instilled fear and anxiety in education stakeholders that include learners, teachers, and parents as right to life is threatened while pursuing right to education.
“However, the Commission’s guidance is that the decision the Ministry of Education whether to close schools indefinitely or not should be informed by the current evidence, the learnings from the first wave of Covid-19 as well as the balance between the right to life and right to education,” reads the statement.
Schools are expected to reopen on February 8, 2021 after a three week break.
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MHRC is correct 100% let life get along within the control measures as the end is not so clear. The same people we are attempting to save will be subjected to dire poverty due to loss of income with absence of economic activity especially those in formal employment mindful of those is private schools per the subject.
The problem is this govt fears HRDC than covid 19 itself. Be reminded that it is not HRDC which is running the affairs of the state. Tonse Alliance should learn to be wise than always being misled by these selfish and misguided entities.
Good professional advice. Unfortunately chakwera listens too much from the clueless the Tranpence and cronies!
Boma loima pachulu kuti ndilanzeru. Today they are being humbled. Clueless government!
You can not have the best of both worlds in the era of the pandemic…there is need for some concessions on some issues
Habiba tangowamasulani abomawa akuwononga ndalama ndikulipila ma Lawyer amene anawayimilira mlandu wachisankho.Komanso bomali ligule ma mask kwa maphunzitsi ndi Onse ophunzira mmasukulu Onse Mmalawi muno mmene anachitira pogula ma ballot papers oyendetsa chitsankho chapita chija panalibe zowilingula ndalama zilipo zathu osati zawo zimene ife timapereka msonkho.Ndiye kuteteza za matendawa zipose chisankho ayi.Sukulutu mukunenayo siingatheke pali mliri wamatenda.Choyambilira nkuthetsa matenda zina zonse zibwera pambuyo.Ndalamazo asavutike angozipititsa ku procurement zikagule 18 million masks for all Malawians,zikagule oxgen cylinders for all hospitals in Malawi including cham hospitals and other selected private clinics,akagule ventilators for all district and referral hospitals in Malawi,akagule hand sanitisers… Read more »
were suppose to come up with proper measures to deal with this issue in schools, closing should have been the very last option after tangible evidence of covid prevalence in some schools. look now students are all over townships walking without masks and you think you solved, if anything things are rather worse now, and on top of that school calendar has been disturbed. nde ndikanena chomcho muziti ndine wa DPP, ayi ndithu leaders need to think and think hard….though everyone wants to be a leader but it is not easy to be a leader, you need more wisdom than… Read more »
True church leaders are dying why can’t the governments close the church’s indefinitely?
Don’t be stupid.
While schools are closed government needs to intensify the fight against the covid-19 so that after the three weeks break change has to be seen!
suggest a strategy please
exactly, osamangolubwa, apeleke strategy yomwe akuiganizilayo