My Turn

Reopen Chaminade Marianist Sec School

R

ecently, the Ministry of Education closed Chaminade Marianist Secondary School in Lilongwe over the alleged continued use of corporal punishment and other governance concerns.

The decision 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, most of whom bear no responsibility for the governance failures of the school’s management.

It is time for authorities to rethink this decision. Closing the school is not the solution.

Rather, it is a band-aid approach to a deeper  issue that demands contact, dialogue and sustainable resolutions, including unrelenting checks and balances.

The Ministry of Education must swiftly reopen the Catholic secondary school, ensuring that students, especially those preparing for critical national examinations are not denied their future.

Let us not forget that education is a fundamental human right enshrined in the Constitution and international conventions such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The school’s closure has deprived learners of their right to access education, effectively putting their futures on hold as did the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

There is no time to lose for students preparing for the Malawi School Certificate of Education and the Junior Certificate of Education examination.

Every day the school remains closed is one too many for the learners.

It is wrong, unfair and unjust to punish innocent learners for the failures of school authorities.

The ministry must recognise that by closing the school, they are penalising the wrong people—the Malawian child.

Private Schools Association of Malawi (Prisam) president 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 school authorities to a roundtable discussion to map the way forward,” he observes.

This is a reasonable and practical approach.

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

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

The school closure 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 Education Ministry must prioritise 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 and compliant with children’s rights, the solution lies not in shutting down schools, but in fostering a culture of adherence 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 deserve better. They deserve quality education uninterrupted by the failures of the adults entrusted with their well-being.

By reopening the school and addressing the governance issues through dialogue, the ministry can balance enforcing the laws and safeguarding students’ futures.

Remember that the true measure of a nation’s progress is how it treats its children. Their education must remain a priority, no matter the circumstances.

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