This was in clear reference to demonstrations organized by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition-HRDC-which have lately focused on forcing government and some government agencies to address issues perceived to be of concern to citizens.

Dr. Banda said this in Mulanje at the weekend that the protest by learners in schools have tended to be violent and have potential to affect students’ performance in class.

“It is unfortunate that students are just following what some civil society organizations have been doing in their demonstrations,” said the minister when he presented certificates and cash to best performing students and teachers in Shire Highlands Education Division-SHED.

The minister, however, hailed teachers for their performance despite obvious challenges they face such as poor remuneration and delayed salaries.

SHED Manager, Evelyn Njima, observed that the introduction of awards to star performers five years ago, performance of both teachers and learners has improved.

Favour Masambuka who scored nine points at MSCE from Providence Girls Secondary School said her performance was God given.

“I found none to assist me apart from God and, surely, I owe this to God,” she said.

As a token of appreciation for their exceptional performance, 65 teachers went home with K30, 000 each while 18 students were given K15, 000 each.

Providence Girls Secondary School also received a trophy as the best performing school in SHED during the 2019 MSCE.