Tag Archives: Chaminade Marianist Secondary School

Education, Law and order, Malawi

Selective justice: Chaminade Marianist Secondary School in full operation despite Ministry’s closure order

MaraviPost

…..The other three schools with similar offenses remain closed….

….Its selective justice and politics at play……

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Chaminade Marianist Secondary School of the catholic church in Lilongwe is still in full operation despite the Malawi government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education ordering the closure of the school based on administering corporal punishment and governance issues.

On January 17, this year, The Public Relations Officer for the Ministry, Mphatso Nkuonera confirmed the closure of Chaminade and described the use of corporal punishment as “archaic and against the laws of the country”.

“it is true that the ministry has closed Chaminade Marianist Secondary School for administering corporal punishment, as you are aware, this act is against the laws of country and the closure is effective immediately,” Nkuonera said.

However, despite the closure notice to the public, Chaminade is in full operation without remorse.

The Maravi Post sneaked into the school’s premises on Monday afternoon whereas classes were normal as if nothing had happened.

“It was just an order on the paper, nothing changed here. Classes were just disrupted in the first week of the closure notice but in following weeks, life became normal till now,” one of the inside workers told The Maravi Post.

The development comes when other two schools in Lilongwe and one in Mangochi were closed last year on similar offenses remain closed.

When contacted for comment, Education Ministry publicist Nkuonera pushed the matter to Principal Secretary for Basic and Secondary Education Chimbwete Phiri who failed to respond on several attempts.

This publication also made several attempts to get feedback from the Education Minister for Basic and Secondary Madalitso Mbauwa Wirima who failed to pick up her mobile phone on several attempts with WhatsApp message.

But sources within the Education Ministry told The Maravi Post that the matter was beyond officials including the minister herself.

“Look, Chaminade is a catholic school whose church has a political influence in Malawi. Soon after the closure notice was issued, heads of the catholic church including bishops pressed hard Malawi government leadership to reverse the decision.

“Due to politics at play, the ministry is failing even to visit the school premises over the closure notice. This is pure selective justice we are witnessing currently. The child (victim) went through a lot but no one at the school has been taken to task because is the catholic church,” worried a female Capitol Hill official in the Ministry of Education.

She queried further, “There are other three schools closed on similar offenses but they did not defy any closure order. What’s so special about Chaminade? What message is the Ministry of Education sending to schools on the promotion of good governance”.

After the closure, the country’s Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) commended the Ministry’s action and argued that the decision aligned with both moral and legal imperatives, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to upholding the rights of children and ensuring compliance with the law.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, January 18, 2025 and signed by CSEC chairman and Executive Director Limbani Nsapoto and Benedicto Kondowe respectively said, “The Ministry of Education (MoE) has taken a clear stance against corporal punishment, a practice that is explicitly prohibited under Section 19(1) of the Constitution of Malawi, which guarantees freedom from torture and degrading treatment, as well as Section 4(e) of the Education Act, 2013, which mandates non-violent disciplinary methods.”

CSEC lauded Education Ministry, “This decision is further supported by international instruments such as Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) and Article 16 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), which obligate states to protect children from all forms of abuse and violence.

“The Committee on the Rights of the Child defines corporal punishment as any use of physical
force intended to cause pain or discomfort, including actions like hitting and degrading nonphysical punishments”.

CSEC observed further, “Under Article 19(1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), states are obligated to protect children from all forms of physical and mental violence.

“The CRC interprets this to include corporal punishment and urges its prohibition in all settings, as emphasized in General Comment No. 8 (2006)”.

Read the statement further, “Importantly, this ban on corporal punishment does not imply a prohibition on all disciplinary measures; rather, it promotes non-violent, constructive approaches that uphold performance and quality standards while respecting the dignity and rights of the child.

“While the closure of the school is justifiable given the circumstances, it is important to ensure that the interests of the affected students are duly protected. CSEC urges the Ministry to prioritize quick and effective remedial measures to support the students and restore the school’s operations”.

In addition, CSEC emphasized the need to assess whether the closure of the school was the only viable remedy in this situation.

Chaminade Marianist Secondary School became the first school to be closed by the Ministry in 2025 for failing to comply with the laws of the country.

Education, Malawi, Opinion

Please, reopen Chaminade Marianist Secondary School– Protect Learners’ Right to Education

Maravi Post Author

By Ephraim Nyondo

The decision by the Ministry of Education to close Chaminade Marianist Secondary School over its use of corporal punishment and governance issues has sparked debate.

While the ministry’s commitment to upholding the law is commendable, the closure of the school has inadvertently violated the fundamental right to education for hundreds of innocent learners.

This drastic measure punishes not only the institution but also the students, many of whom bear no responsibility for the governance failures of the school’s management.

It is time for the authorities to rethink this decision. Closing the school is not the solution—it is a Band-Aid approach to a deeper issue that demands contact, dialogue, and sustainable resolutions.

The Ministry of Education, hence, must act swiftly to reopen Chaminade Marianist Secondary School, ensuring that students, especially those preparing for critical examinations like the MSCE and JCE, are not denied their future.

Let’s not forget: Education is a fundamental human right enshrined in Malawi’s Constitution and international frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The closure of Chaminade Marianist Secondary School has denied learners their right to access education, effectively putting their futures on hold.

For students preparing for the MSCE and JCE, time is of the essence.

Every day the school remains closed is a day lost in their academic calendar. It is unfair and unjust to punish innocent learners for the failings of school authorities.

The Ministry must recognize that by closing the school, they are penalizing the wrong people.

The Private Schools Association of Malawi (PRISAM), through its president Dr. Ernest Kaonga, has rightly called for dialogue as the solution.

“As PRISAM, we feel that the best on this issue is for the ministry to invite the authorities of the school to a roundtable discussion to map the way forward,” Kaonga stated.

This is a reasonable and practical approach.

Engaging in discussions with the school’s management can help address the governance and disciplinary issues without disrupting students’ education.

A thorough investigation, coupled with clear corrective measures, can ensure compliance with the law while keeping the school operational.

The closure of Chaminade Marianist Secondary School sets a dangerous precedent.

If schools are to be shut down every time governance issues arise, what safeguards are in place to ensure students’ education continues uninterrupted?

The Ministry of Education must prioritize reforming systems within schools rather than resorting to closures that harm learners the most.

The Ministry must also consider the ripple effects of such decisions. Families and communities are left scrambling to find alternative schools, which often comes with financial and logistical challenges.

In some cases, students may even be forced to drop out, compounding Malawi’s existing challenges with education access and retention.

While the Ministry’s stance on corporal punishment is justified, the solution lies not in shutting down schools but in fostering a culture of compliance and accountability.

Chaminade Marianist Secondary School’s management should be held accountable for their actions, but this must be done without compromising students’ education.

The Ministry of Education has the power to reverse this decision and demonstrate its commitment to protecting the rights of learners.

Reopening the school, combined with clear directives for reform and monitoring, is the best path forward.

The innocent learners at Chaminade Marianist Secondary School deserve better.

They deserve an education uninterrupted by the failures of the adults entrusted with their wellbeing.

By reopening the school and addressing the governance issues through dialogue, the Ministry of Education can strike a balance between enforcing the law and safeguarding students’ futures.

Let us not forget: the true measure of a nation’s progress is how it treats its children. Their education must remain a priority, no matter the circumstances.

About the author: EPHRAIM NYONDO IS A MULTI-AWARD-WINNING EDUCATION JOURNALIST IN MALAWI

Education, Malawi

CSEC backs Chaminade Marianist Secondary School closure

MaraviPost

…Urges Fair Standards and Immediate Student Support….

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) has commended the Ministry of Education for closing down Chaminade Marianist Secondary School in Lilongwe due to the use of corporal punishment and governance issues.

CSEC observes that the Ministry’s action aligns with both moral and legal imperatives, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to upholding the rights of children and ensuring compliance with the law.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, January 18, 2025 and signed by CSEC chairman and Executive Director Limbani Nsapoto and Benedicto Kondowe respectively says, “The Ministry of Education (MoE) has taken a clear stance against corporal punishment, a practice that is explicitly prohibited under Section 19(1) of the Constitution of Malawi, which guarantees freedom from torture and degrading treatment, as well as Section 4(e) of the Education Act, 2013, which mandates non-violent disciplinary methods.”

CSEC lauds Education Ministry, “This decision is further supported by international instruments such as Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) and Article 16 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC), which obligate states to protect children from all forms of abuse and violence.

“The Committee on the Rights of the Child defines corporal punishment as any use of physical
force intended to cause pain or discomfort, including actions like hitting and degrading nonphysical punishments”.

CSEC oberves further, “Under Article 19(1) of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), states are obligated to protect children from all forms of physical and mental violence.

“The CRC interprets this to include corporal punishment and urges its prohibition in all settings, as emphasized in General Comment No. 8 (2006)”.

Reads the statement further, “Importantly, this ban on corporal punishment does not imply a prohibition on all disciplinary measures; rather, it promotes non-violent, constructive approaches that uphold performance and quality standards while respecting the dignity and rights of the child.

“While the closure of the school is justifiable given the circumstances, it is important to ensure that the interests of the affected students are duly protected. CSEC urges the Ministry to prioritize quick and effective remedial measures to support the students and restore the school’s operations”.

In addition, CSEC emphasizes the need to assess whether the closure of the school was the only viable remedy in this situation.

“Were there alternative interventions that could have allowed the school to address its shortcomings while continuing to serve its learners? This question warrants careful examination to inform future decisions,” questions CSEC.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, CSEC calls on the Ministry of Education to ensure that students, especially those preparing for national examinations, are provided with immediate alternative arrangements to mitigate academic disruption.

“Work with the school authorities to implement corrective actions, including governance reforms and capacity building on lawful disciplinary practices, to ensure the school meets required standards and can reopen safely.

“Apply the same level of accountability to all schools, public and private alike, that violate governance and legal standards to uphold fairness and maintain public trust in the education system,” urges CSEC.

The organisation appeals further, “Clearly define and enforce consequences for school authorities found in breach of the law, ensuring transparency and reinforcing a culture of compliance across the sector”.

CSEC reaffirms its commitment to advocating for the rights of students and the overall improvement of Malawi’s education system.

“As stakeholders, we stand ready to collaborate with the Government and other partners to ensure that all schools provide safe, inclusive, and rights-respecting environments for learning,” concludes CSEC.

Education, Malawi

Education Ministry shuts down Chaminade Marianist Secondary School over corporal punishment, governance issues

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi government, through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has closed Chaminade Marianist Secondary School in Lilongwe on the basis of administering corporal punishment and governance issues.

The Public Relations Officer for the Ministry, Mphatso Nkuonera confirmed the news on Friday and described the use of corporal punishment as an act that is archaic and against the laws of the country.

“it is true that the ministry has closed Chaminade Marianist Secondary School for administering corporal punishment, as you are aware, this act is against the laws of country and the closure is effective immediately,” Nkuonera said.

Chaminade Marianist Secondary School becomes the first school to be closed by the Ministry in 2025 for failing to comply with the laws of the country.