A student who was part of the demonstrations on Tuesday in Mzuzu says they are irked with industrial action by their teachers.

"We will soon be writing end-of-term examinations. Others will be writing their final examinations and we cannot sit down and watch, things going like this,” said a student.

On Tuesday this week, some students in Mzuzu took to the streets, while chanting songs on their way to the District Education Manager to deliver their petition.

Receiving the petition District Education Manager Nameson Ngwira said the petition will be delivered to relevant authorities.

Said Ngwira: "I have received this petition. I will forward it to authorities for action”.

In January, this year, government closed all schools in the country following a rise in cases of COVID-19. And almost five weeks later, private schools re-opened, while teachers in public schools staged a two-week sit-in demanding Covid-19 risk allowance.

Government through the ministry of Education task force and the Teachers Union of Malawi signed an agreement that teachers will be given a once-off payment and let the teachers resume work.

On Tuesday, the demonstrations were also held by learners in Lilongwe and Mwanza as students expressed their anger following the stay away by teachers.