When education becomes a nightmare . . . Chifamba High School admin block that was gutted by fire
Chifamba High School admin block that was gutted by fire

Chifamba High School admin block that was gutted by fire

Lovemore Meya Cool Lifestyle Correspondent
Stories of strife in schools have become all too common. Abuse of funds, abuse of kids and other poor administrative practices result in kids failing to exercise their right to education. This is the alleged case at Chifamba High School in Mudzi with tales of misappropriated funds, harassment and periodically changing teacher’s subject allocation among other issues.

“We are having difficult times in learning at this school following the school headmistress’ conduct. She always picks fights with teachers and does not listen to anyone as she wants everything done her way.

“Since January, we never had a conducive learning environment as our teachers are being changed all the time with a Shona teacher being asked to teach science or any other subject,” said a Form 4 student. Another student added that no development has taken place since their headmistress came.

“When she came to this school, everything was good and a month down the line things started changing. She never listens to us and we do not even know whether we are going to pass at our final examination as a result of failure to be given guidance by our teachers who are constantly harassed before us,” she said.

Teachers at the school who spoke to this reporter said the pass rate at the school has fallen which means that the future of many pupils is being compromised. Even the community is up in arms against the school head.

“We want her to be transferred because she has caused so much damage to the school, teachers, school children and parents,” said Mr Israel Mupfawa, a village head. “All certificates she refused to give the owners were burnt in the fire on October 7 last year the day auditors came to check on the missing $12 500. We suspect she started it basing on circumstantial evidence in a bid to nullify the allegations.

“The responsible authorities should come to our rescue, give us feedback on the audit or else we will not pay any money to the school,” he said. Mr Mupfawa said the situation has forced some parents to transfer their children to faraway schools.

A visit to the school by this publication witnessed a sorry state of the institution which reportedly last received a facelift two years ago before she assumed office. The deputy headmaster identified as Mr Kaitona refused to entertain this reporter citing school protocol.

However, investigations revealed that teachers are having to become innovative in order to carry out lessons.

“We are working under harsh conditions like using charcoal when giving out notes since the headmistress is intolerable, always harassing us in front of children and changing subject allocation.

“Students are no longer attending sport competitions because the school is failing to pay affiliation fee. During meetings, we are not allowed to make contributions and her word is final,” said the teacher.

Contacted for comment, Ms Zamisa refuted the allegations.

“It is not true. All these people are trying to undermine me because I am a woman,” said Ms Zamisa.

“I inherited these problems when I took over the school and the teachers are failing to understand that the allegations of the missing money are fabricated against me. “The teachers are fighting me tooth and nail, the reason being leadership they want. I do not know if they talked with the press in an endeavour to topple me.”

Chifamba Old Students’ Association chairperson Mr Lawyer Katonha said they tried to talk with Ms Zamisa but to no avail. “We held two separate meetings with her where we discussed a number of grievances that were brought to our attention by parents, students and teachers.

“She promised to look into them but nothing changed and we wrote to District Education Officer Mr Godfrey Chimbwanda who told us that the issues were being looked at a higher office,” he said.

Primary and Secondary Education ministry permanent secretary Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango said the report was never brought to their attention. “This is the first time to hear of the allegations, we are going to do a follow up with the province,” said Dr Utete-Masango.

“We will try to pursue this issue once I speak to the provincial head and see if one or two chief auditors can go to find out about the missing money and on the aspect of arson.” Whatever the truth of the case may be, we hope that the relevant authorities will act fast.

Schools are places where kids go to learn. They should not be war zones for staff and communities because in such a situation it is the kids that suffer.

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