Govt Says Demos Affect Delivery of Quality Education, Condemns Vandalism of School

Government through the ministry of Education, Science and Technology has condemned acts of looting and damaging of school infrastructure by protesters during demonstrations.

In a statement released Friday, the ministry bemoans disruption of classes which is an infringement on the right to education.

“The ministry would like to call upon all learners to report for classes on the date as stipulated in the press release and wants to register its assurance that all measures shall be put in place to ensure that their right to education is protected entirely.”

“We would like to encourage them to continue doing so as we strive to offer equitable access to quality education,” it reads.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Lindiwe Chide, in an interview, said disrupting classes affects delivery of quality education.

“We have noted with concern that some individuals engage in these barbaric acts as a way of expressing their right but the public should know that exercising one’s right through demonstrations should be done without infringing on the right to education of children and youths through vandalising school property,” she said.

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has been organising demonstrations in the country to force Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson (MEC) Justice Jane Ansah to resign.

However, the Supreme Court issued a 14-day moratorium against the demonstrations so that stakeholders could find ways of holding violence-free protests. The moratorium ended Monday.