Learners at Mwenje Primary School in Makoni District recently foiled a demonstration by their parents against their headmistress at the school.
The Manica Post reported that the learners chased away their placard-waving parents and members of the community who wanted to stage a demonstration to push the headmistress, Zvichaguma Murahwa, to be transferred from the school.
The demonstrators, who were led by the School Development Committee (SDC) chairman, Tendai Nyasa, failed to access the satellite school’s premises as the learners attacked them.
Murahwa told The Manica Post that some members of the community say she has overstayed at the school therefore she should be transferred. She said:
Some members of the community are saying I have overstayed at the school and I should leave just like other teachers who have left.
They are also claiming that I am behind the transfer of a teacher after some issues were raised against that teacher who opted to leave.
The SDC chairperson led the demonstration, waving placards. However, I am safe because they (demonstrators) were chased away by the learners.
Their issue is not emanating from the school but from other disputes in the community.
Nyasa said there is a high turnover of teachers at the school which he blamed on the school head.
He also said there is a boundary dispute between the head’s parents and the community. Said Nyasa:
There is a high turnover of teachers at the school because the head is frustrating teachers.
There are some misunderstandings over how school projects should be handled.
She constructed her personal house on a piece of land that we believe belongs to the school. The demarcations are not clear.
We are in the dark about a number of issues happening at the school. Parents went to the school on Monday to demonstrate, but learners attacked and insulted some parents, questioning what they want to do with their headmistress.
I think it is the head who incited them to revolt against us. She also has some parents who support her and they want the current SDC removed.
There is a boundary dispute between the head’s parents and the community but we are not mixing issues.
Makoni District Schools Inspector, George Chidhakwa said that an audit team was sent to the school and came up with recommendations which he said will be implemented.
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