23 ‘Box 48’ students suspended for damaging school property

The Ministry of Education has re-opened Dedza Secondary School in central Malawi, but it has indefinitely suspended 23 students for igniting riots at the school that subsequently led to the damage of property worth over K300,000.

The school, popularly known as Box 48, was shut down on February 27 this year following continued protests against congestion and poor diet at the school by schools.

The students who have been recalled will have to pay K200 each, according to the district’s Education Manager Billy Banda.

Banda said the school authorities had a meeting with student’s parents and they, at the end of the day, agreed that each student pay K200 for the school to replace the damaged property.

He said during the riots students damaged window glasses worth about K135,000 and mattress valued slightly over K200,000.

“Some 23 students have been suspended following the riots that took place at the school last February and this followed a successful meeting with their parents.

“They will be informed in due course when to go back to school, but meantime their fellow students are back at the school and will have to pay K200 so that the school can buy items such as mattresses,” said Banda Wednesday.

Sharing is caring!