Former Lilongwe Private Schools head of primary Maria Asghar has asked the Ministry of Education, child-protection and human-rights authorities, and labour and immigration bodies to launch independent investigations into the school after alleging a pattern of child abuse, corporal punishment, cyber-harassment, and governance failures.
Asghar says the school repeatedly ignored reports of corporal punishment and failed to enforce child-protection policies while tolerating workplace retaliation and coordinated online harassment of staff, creating a culture in which abuse could persist.
She cites one particularly serious incident in which her son was physically assaulted on school premises and, according to medical records she provided, required emergency surgery.
Asghar and a former teacher who spoke anonymously say parents’ complaints, internal records, and medical documentation substantiate repeated physical, verbal, racial, and degrading abuse by a former employee identified as Burnett Munthali.
Reported incidents include students being lifted by their ears, slapped, forced to beg (particularly girls), subjected to racial insults such as “you are black,” “you are like smoke weed,” and “your head is full of worms,” and multiple beatings.
Asghar alleges that when school leadership attempted to act, parental pressure intensified and Munthali subsequently left the institution; no independent safeguarding investigation was launched by the board.
However, Munthali declined to comment, saying he resigned last year after finding a better job.
When contacted, vice board chairperson Manzoor Bheda referred inquiries to board chairperson Mr. Kalaria, who was said to be out of the country.
Jayesh Patel Kalaria, identified by sources as the de facto chairperson, also declined to comment, saying Mr. Kalaria is abroad receiving medical treatment and will be briefed on return.
A former primary teacher who requested anonymity said staff who reported abuses were often threatened with job loss and that raising concerns could lead to dismissal.
Asghar says she has collected complaints and testimonies from parents and staff that point to systemic safeguarding failures at the school.
To date, authorities named by Asghar have not responded publicly. She is urging urgent, independent inquiries to protect children and hold those responsible to account.
