Malawi schools open amid backlash from teachers over Covid-19 allowances

By James Mwala

Teachers in public schools in Malawi started boycotting work as classes resumed on Monday 22 February after nearly a month long closure due to the Covid-19 situation.

The teachers are demanding government to provide them with risk allowances just like it is the case with other civil servants.

Currently, government insists the decision will be made by the presidential taskforce on Covid-19, a move that has sprung an outrage from teachers who feel the move undermines their calls.

According to leader of Malawi's Teachers Union Willy Kalimba, the teachers will proceed and will half the industrial action until their demands are met.

Earlier on, Principal Secretary in the Education Ministry told the media they would only wait for consultations to be complete.

Ironically, private schools are now operating, a development experts fear will bloat an already existing education gap between the two different school categories.

The calls by teachers comes as government is proving how about 6.2 billion Covid-19 funds were managed.