Among such schools is the Joyce Banda Foundation School, belonging to former President of Malawi, which has issued a statement directly addressing the concern.

There are fears that the court verdict could spark discontent and thus lead to disorder.

Initially, the school would have gone for mid-term break on February 14, 2020 but has released learners Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

“We are just as concerned as everyone that the ruling of the courts, whatever the outcome, might spark some discontent in the country which could lead to some incidents of disorder and we taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our students and staff members.

“We are however optimistic that sanity will prevail and that, as leaders from both sides have requested, there will be peace,” School Managing Director, Roy Kachale, states in a public statement issued this week.

Banda told Zodiak Online that this was an administrative measure to ensure safety of students and members of staff.

Meanwhile the school is expected to re-open on February 6, 2020, if.

“We try as much as possible to stay away from making political statements. Our institution welcomes students from all walks of life regardless of their nationality, race, religion or their political affiliations or that of their parents.

“Our paramount concern is the education and safety of our students,” he said.

The school and a number of others in Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Blantyre have indicated that they continue to closely monitor the security situation during the period and will communicate should there be any changes to their revised schedule.

“I am ok with that. They are only demonstrating that they care. They are following what is happening in the country and interpreting the situation. That is how it should be. The best place for children during such a time is home,” said one parent.

UTM presidential candidate Dr. Saulos Chilima, and his Malawi Congress Party counterpart, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera petitioned the constitutional court disputing the declaration by the Malawi Electoral Commission which gave victory of the 2019 presidential election to DPP candidate Professor Peter Mutharika.

The petitioners seek to secure a nullification of the result and a declaration for rerun