Minister responsible, Agness Nyalonje who was accompanied by officials from Malawi Examination Board (MANEB), Presidential Taskforce on COVID 19, and Ministry of Local Government said schools will be disinfected regularly to reduce threat of further spread of the contagion among the learners.

The announcement by Ministry of Education to reopen schools is coming barely two weeks after President Chakwera through his Weekly National Address announced that schools will reopen early September.

Minister responsible, Agness Nyalonje told journalists, today Thursday that the ministry has arrived at the decision to reopen schools following a recommendation from Presidential Taskforce on COVID 19.

Nyalonje, however, said her ministry will from Monday do assessment in all schools to measure their level of readiness to re-open, amidst Covid-19

She further added that 2 billion kwacha has since been disbursed to all primary school zones for them to purchase hand-washing facilities and facilitate making of facemasks.

“We have started training teachers in all zones and we are hoping that upon re-opening of schools, they will follow what they have been trained,” said Nyalonje.

On the risk allowances that teachers have been demanding before reopening of schools, Secretary for Education, Chikondano Mussa says discussions with relevant stakeholders are underway to consider the issue.

“Decision to give risk allowances is a joint decision so we are still seeking views from relevant stakeholders,” said Mussa.

Meanwhile, MANEB has announced that Standard 8 examinations will be administered between September 30 and October 2 and that Malawi School Certificate of Education will be administered between October 27 and November 20.

Schools were closed in March this year as one of the preventive measures of containing further spread of COVID 19.

Since then, there has been a rise in teenage pregnancies chiefly among school-going ages.