New developments have emerged in the ongoing controversy surrounding Faith Baptist Secondary School, with allegations of mismanagement and abuse of resources coming to light. Parents and staff members have come forward to share their grievances, shedding more light on the situation. The controversy follows reports of unfair expulsion of students, sale of school spaces, and misuse of resources meant for students, including intimidation of staff members.
Attempts to solicit comment from the school administration were unsuccessful, as multiple calls to Deputy Head Teacher Mr. Mutale, Guidance Office representative Ms. Chanda Musonda, and Accounts representative Mr. Nyambo Nyirenda went unanswered.
Mr. Sinyangwe, a parent, recounted a distressing experience, stating that his daughter was unfairly expelled from the school just as she was about to enter grade 12. “The head teacher’s mannerisms are unbefitting, speaking to parents like they’re children. She came in and just started talking,” he recounted. She told me, ‘We are chasing your child because you haven’t done your work properly as a parent. We are sending her away so that you can go and do where you have missed out to bring her up properly.” He further added, “My wife’s meeting with the head teacher was particularly distressing. She returned home visibly shaken and in tears, describing the head teacher’s harsh words and unprofessional manner. The encounter left her deeply unsettled, raising concerns about the head teacher’s ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with parents. We are concerned about the school’s leadership and their ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.”
Further allegations have surfaced regarding the sale of school spaces, with parents being required to purchase desks, bunk beds, and pay substantial amounts of money to secure places for their children. “We were required to purchase a desk, bunker bed, and pay K5,000 to secure a place for our child,” a parent revealed. Another parent, Mrs. Daka, echoed similar sentiments, “It’s unfair to expect parents to pay exorbitant amounts of money just to secure a place for their child.”
A grade 12 pupil at the school, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that approximately 12 pupils have been expelled from the institution. According to the pupil, these expulsions were largely due to minor infractions, with most cases stemming from missing a single class. The pupil explained that the school’s policy is excessively harsh, contrasting with typical practices where missing a class would result in punishment such as manual labor rather than outright expulsion.
Additionally, concerns were raised about the school’s dietary provisions, which the pupil claimed do not align with the positive portrayal presented publicly. Water supply issues were also highlighted as a persistent challenge, exacerbated by the lack of action following the donation of a generator intended to facilitate water pumping.
The school’s handling of resources meant for students has also been called into question, with donated goods reportedly going missing. According to the source, the school remains incomplete, with certain areas still requiring finishing touches and essential materials. Notably, ceiling boards intended for the school have gone missing. The source alleged that these missing ceiling boards have been installed at the head teacher’s farm, raising concerns about the misuse of government property.
“Why should school materials end up at the head teacher’s personal farm when our classrooms and staff houses here are incomplete? We urge the authorities to investigate this matter thoroughly,” said a staff member who wished to remain anonymous.
The source further suggested that authorities verify the codes and confirm whether the ceiling boards in question match the donated materials to determine the extent of the alleged mismanagement. The staff member revealed that the mismanagement has been ongoing for a long time.
“The mismanagement has been going on for long,” the source said. “For instance, 8 containers of 20 litres of cooking oil meant for the pupils’ cooking program went missing. Additionally, 165 bags of 50 kg maize and some bags of beans donated by the government for the school feeding program also went missing.”
“It’s unacceptable that resources meant for our students are being misused,” another staff member said. “We urge the school administration to be transparent about the use of these resources.”
In a shocking revelation, the school’s diet program has been accused of deception. Inspectors from the Ministry of Education had visited the school to investigate the diet program, but instead of allowing an independent investigation, the head teacher, together with Ms. Chanda Musonda, a Guidance teacher, allegedly selected 10 pupils who were coached the previous day on what to say. “This is a clear indication of the school’s lack of transparency and willingness to address issues,” a staff member said.
The school’s management has also been accused of embezzling money meant for pupils’ welfare. Furthermore, the entire guidance office has been implicated in a similar scheme, allegedly led by Ms. Chanda Musonda, a Guidance teacher, who is reportedly working hand in hand with the head teacher and the procurement department.
Sources within the school have identified individuals involved in the alleged mismanagement, including Rabecca Mwanza and Mwanga Beenzu (Dining department); Musonda Chanda and Kelvin Lisulo (Guidance department); Mr. Sean Ngosa, in charge of stores; Nyambo Nyirenda, the accountant; Ms. Harriet Mbimbi and Caleb Nyirenda (Mathematics department). The alleged cartel is said to operate within major departments, including the Head teacher’s office, Guidance, Procurement, Dining, Mathematics, and Accounts.
The school’s financial management has also raised concerns, with staff members alleging that the school accommodates meetings and generates significant revenue. “In December 2024, the school hosted meetings for the Teaching Service Commission, including Human Resources in the district, of which they paid more than K100,000. Again, recently, the CBC had a meeting at the school, which they paid over K70,000. Also, people from ECZ [Education Council of Zambia] had a meeting at the school, which they paid more than K50,000. All that money, we don’t know where it’s going, and once you ask about that, then you are being seen as a threat, and your transfer will be in motion.”
Moreover, staff members who reside in the teachers’ compound have alleged that they are made to pay K500 per month for electricity. “Last month, teachers in the compound paid over K15,000 towards the electricity bills for that month, but to our surprise, Zesco has plans to cut off power from the school due to overdue bills that have accumulated despite teachers being made to pay K500 per month,” a source said. “We question how bills keep accumulating when teachers are paying K500 every month, yet we experience long hours of load shedding. It seems management hasn’t been paying the bills or has been paying little, with the rest of the money benefiting the same cartel. Where is the government grant meant for paying electricity bills for the school going?”
Parents and staff members are demanding accountability and transparency to ensure students receive the best education possible. “We need an independent investigation by the Ministry of Education, and law enforcement to get to the bottom of this mismanagement and ensure that our students receive the education they deserve,” a staff member said.