The group’s Secretary General, Azeez Losa, told Zodiak Online that their safety is at risk as the number of teachers and learners infected by the pandemic keeps on increasing.

“We also call for disinfection of all schools for at least once a week, provision of tents to schools to ease congestion in classes. We also demand immediate recruitment of IPTE 13 and 14 teachers that are just staying idle after completing their teaching training three and two years ago respectively to reduce the teacher-learners ratio,” said Losa.

He said they have given government an ultimatum of five days beginning Monday, 18th January, 2021 to start implementing their request or they will drop their tools from Monday, 25th January, 2021.

The letter, dated 16th January, 2021, has been copied to Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM).

Ministry of Education is yet to respond on the petition but Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) Secretary General, Charles Kumchenga, said he has seen the letter and he said he will comment later.