Malawi Freedom Network Reporter
Ms. Maria Asghar, the primary head teacher at Lilongwe Private School, has once again come under scrutiny for what staff members describe as unprofessional, divisive, and retaliatory behaviour toward her own teachers.
Reports indicate that Ms. Asghar recently removed several teachers from the official Lilongwe Private School teachers’ WhatsApp group simply because this reporter captured uncomfortable truths about her administration.
Sources say she has since been instructed to add the removed teachers back to the group, highlighting growing concern over her leadership and decision-making.
Prince Nebert, one of the affected teachers, was allegedly removed from the official communication platform because Ms. Asghar suspected him of passing information to this reporter.
Nebert has strongly denied these accusations, saying he has never communicated with any journalist about internal matters at the school.
The removal of teachers from a vital communication group was viewed by staff as a form of intimidation designed to disrupt unity and discourage teachers from speaking out.
This behaviour has raised serious questions about Ms. Asghar’s suitability to lead an academic institution where teamwork, trust, and professionalism are essential.
Teachers say these actions are part of a pattern in which the head teacher isolates, punishes, and humiliates staff she perceives as a threat or as individuals who refuse to participate in her questionable conduct.
Such tensions have created an atmosphere of fear, mistrust, and instability within the school, resulting in low morale among staff members who are simply trying to do their jobs effectively.
Education experts warn that when a head teacher fights her own teaching staff, the greatest victims become the learners who depend on a cohesive and motivated team for quality education.
They further caution that a divided staff cannot deliver consistent instruction, maintain discipline, or uphold the academic standards that parents expect from a reputable school.
The ongoing conflict at Lilongwe Private School exposes the urgent need for intervention by educational authorities to restore professionalism, protect teachers, and ensure that the school remains a safe environment for both learners and staff.
