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From Conrad Mupesa in Mhangura
At  least 20 grannies who enrolled at Mhangura Mine Primary School as non-formal learners are appealing for financial help and other related assistance to achieve their academic goals.

The grannies, most of them in their 50s, have been experiencing difficulties in balancing both family and academic studies. Ambuya Pikisai Ruzvidzo (55), who is doing her Grade Two at the same school, said her preoccupation with raising funds to sponsor her education was disturbing her studies.

“I am finding it hard to cope with reading, hence require extra reading material so as to help myself during spare time, but due to financial problems, I am failing to buy the reading material,” she said.

Mbuya Ruzvidzo said since she looks after her family, she is finding it increasingly difficult to buy extra reading material. Mrs Thandiwe Parichi (47) said although their tuition fees were paltry, they were finding it difficult to pay them as they did not work.

“We are even failing to raise the $10 tuition fees required each term,” she said.

Sources at the school confirmed that the majority of the non-formal learners were failing to raise their fees on time.

“The majority of them have not yet paid fees for this term, while some have outstanding balances and this affects their lessons,” a source said.

The old learners also want financial support for incidental expenses.