The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has appointed a national planning taskforce to help coordinate efforts in the fight against Covid-19 in the education sector.

The taskforce has been appointed barely a few days after Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) appealed for the reopening of schools and recommended measures which should be followed to prevent the spread of Corona virus.

On Wednesday government organized a national stakeholders planning meeting on possibilities of reopening schools amidst the pandemic.

In a statement released by the ministry of education, the taskforce is expected to provide advice to the ministry on the reopening of basic education institutions, primary, secondary schools, teacher training colleges, adult education institutions and universities.

They are also expected to review and reorganize the school calendar as part of the Covid-19 post recovery strategy.

In addition, the taskforce will provide up to date lessons learned from other countries that are applicable to Malawi.

Reports on the implementation of progress of Covid-19 related programmes are also expected to be submitted to the ministry regularly.

Among the members in the taskforce are Professor Lewis Dzimbiri, chairperson for Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Justin Saidi Secretary for Education, Science and Technology and Benedicto Kondowe member of the Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC).