‘Don’t close schools before consulting MOEST’
The Ministry of Education Science and Technology has warned head teachers and administrators in government schools against closing schools without consulting the ministry.
Ministry of Education spokesperson, Rebecca Phwitiko, said regardless of the prevailing situations, procedures need to be followed before closing a government school.
Phwitiko was reacting to reports that Nkhoma Community Day Secondary School administration closed the school on Saturday without consulting the ministry following riots by students.
The students went on rampage in protest against new school regulations by the disciplinary committee which the students claimed were punitive. They smashed windows the school’s administration block, library and deputy head teacher’s house as well as at a neighbouring school, William Murray Secondary School.
Phwitiko said the ministry was yet to decide on the action to take against the school administration as they were still assessing the situation through the division office to map a way forward.
In terms of reopening of the school, Phwitiko said the ministry will announce once the situation has been assessed and the issues that prompted the closure of the school have been addressed.
She reminded all students that vandalism of school infrastructure is not condoned.
“Let them be advised that they should follow proper channels within the school administration or beyond whenever they have complaints,” Phwitiko said.
General Secretary for Nkhoma Synod Reverend Vasco Kachipapa said the situation went out of hand when the students flocked to nearby William Murray Secondary School and started damaging the school’s property.
One of the students from the school who opted for anonymity said the school management has asked the students to pay K5000 ($9) each for the rehabilitation of the school if they were to continue studying at the institution.
Headmaster for the school Mr. Manda could not pick up his phone after several attempts to have his comment on the matter.
