Four months down the line, Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA) advised parents and its membership to reopen schools on 13th July as proposed by Taskforce on reopening of schools.

However, Ministry of Education has brushed aside this advice.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Justine Saidi told Zodiak Online Tuesday that 13th July was just a proposed date to reopen schools pending advice from ministry of health on the status of COVID 19.

"We would like to condemn a letter by ISAMA which is telling parents to send their children to school on 13th July. Schools are not reopening on such a date because this date was just a proposal and we are waiting for the ministry to advise us on the status of Coronavirus in the country," Saidi said.

But, ISAMA president Joseph Patel says they advised their schools and parents that schools will reopen on 13th July after receiving COVID-19 preventive guidelines from the ministry of education on 6th July.

He however says he was advised by the ministry of health on Monday that schools are not reopening on 13th July and that ISAMA will comply waiting for a new date.

"We advised our members to reopen schools on 13th July after receiving COVID 19 preventive guidelines but after ministry of education advised us yesterday not to reopen schools, we will comply and wait for another date to be set," Patel said.

Meanwhile, parents through an Association, Children Owners Association of Malawi have expressed worry over ISAMA's earlier decision to reopen schools on 13th July saying the number of Coronavirus cases in the country is increasing and that children's life cannot wait while education can wait.

In a statement President of COAM, Dr. Padambo says ISAMA should know that the " paramount right is to have life" as the world including Malawi is struggling with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

The association has since warned schools which will operate on the 13th July 2020, that they will be dragged to court.