Lessons came to a standstill on Friday morning at Nalingula Primary School in Phalombe as learners took to the street after several learners at the school fainted.
The learners accompanied by some parents carrying placards and branches of trees were about to present their concerns to the District Commissioner (DC) of Phalombe before they were stopped by heavily armed police officers.
On the scene where they were stopped, Malawi24 observed about five girls collapsing and they were rushed to the hospital by the police van which had ferried the police officers to the scene.
According to one of the boys at the school, the strange disease is mostly attacking girls and whenever they are about to ‘faint’ they mention names of some teachers at school.
“We don’t know what is causing this but when people are fainting they say they see some teachers in their minds of whom they believe are responsible for this, we are fed up with this as it is disturbing our education.
“At the moment we were on our way to meet the DC and tell her the problems which we are facing right now,” said the Standard 7 learner.
Asked why they blocked the learners from presenting their concerns, Police spokesperson Innocent Moses said they did not necessarily block them but were doing their job as part of maintaining security.
“Due to the strange things which are happening at their school, these learners mobilized themselves to present their grievances to the DCs office. So as part of the security we rushed and meet them.
“We didn’t block them but we were guiding them that they need to write their concerns and book an appointment with the DC and that we should also be aware so that on that day we shall provide security on the road for them,” said Moses in an interview.
Community members claimed that a similar disease is also attacking students at Mpasa Community Day Secondary School.
Meanwhile, education authorities are yet to comment on the matter and efforts to speak with the District Education Manager, Hendrix Likeke, proved futile.
Za ziii izi. Ndinamphunzira pa Nalingula pomwepo . Amati kugwa mutu. Za zii attetion seeking atsikana. Ali akugwera mutu ali ndi mutu waukulu amaneyo. Akayambana ndi wina maka. Majini. Ndiye ku Chipatala ati ndi chani. Matenda odwala atsikana okha.