They say the stay away is a big blow to them considering that they already struggle to access education at their school, citing inadequate space as one of challenges choking their education.

A Standard 6 learner, Princess Mbadzo, and Standard 8 Harry Ganizani think government needs to act now.

“It is pathetic that we continue to miss classes due to the teachers’ strike.  We feel time is now for government to move in fast to address the impasse between itself and teachers to allow us to attend school,” they said.

The learners claim that they already struggle to access education, considering their school has only one block out of 864 learners.

“We have only a single block here. Most of us learn in shifts; meaning that we do not have adequate time for education,” complained the learners.

They said this on Tuesday when Christian Youth Association in Malawi, CYAMA donated covid 19 preventive items at the hard-to-reach school.

One of the CYAMA officials, Kenneth Mtago, says the current situation is threatening children’s right to attain quality education.

“We therefore call and demand that government and Teachers Union of Malawi need to demonstrate leadership in addressing the teachers strike,” said Mtago.

Teachers have been pushing government to give them risk allowances in the wake of covid 19 pandemic.