Primary and secondary school students are all smiles today as they return to school after spending almost seven months at home.

Schools were forced to close in March this year following the declaration of a State of Nation Disaster by former president Peter Mutharika due COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, all classes from tertiary to primary have reopened a month after government had allowed only students in examination classes to return to school.

Gilbert Kosamu a form two student at Bwaila Secondary school in Lilongwe was all jovial  now that the wait for school is over.

“Seven months at home felt like years but I am now happy that schools have reopened,” he said.

Another student Lukiya Saidi who is in standard 7 at Lilongwe Primary School is equally happy that she is back at school.

“COVID-19 has disturbed us big time but now I am glad that schools have reopened for us to continue our pursuit for education,” she said.

However, few students were spotted wearing face masks.

During the COVID-19 imposed school holiday a total of 22,240 teen pregnancies and 15,655 child marriages were recorded.