Cephas Shava
MWENEZI – Pupils
at Turf Primary School in Ward 15 has over the past 17 years ran without even a
single classroom block and has recorded a zero percent pass rate in grade seven
examinations ever since.
at Turf Primary School in Ward 15 has over the past 17 years ran without even a
single classroom block and has recorded a zero percent pass rate in grade seven
examinations ever since.
During
lessons, many pupils sit on the ground under makeshift structures built of
wooden poles and dagga with thatched roof.
lessons, many pupils sit on the ground under makeshift structures built of
wooden poles and dagga with thatched roof.
Turf
Primary School Teacher-in-Charge (TIC) Bernard Mahutse said the school was
facing some of the worst conditions a school could ever face in the country.
Primary School Teacher-in-Charge (TIC) Bernard Mahutse said the school was
facing some of the worst conditions a school could ever face in the country.
“Grade
seven classes use these facilities during their final examinations. We have a
total enrolment of 368 pupils and we have few pieces of furniture such that
some of our pupils learn seated on the ground,” said Mahutse.
seven classes use these facilities during their final examinations. We have a
total enrolment of 368 pupils and we have few pieces of furniture such that
some of our pupils learn seated on the ground,” said Mahutse.
Teachers
do not stay longer at the school as there are no houses for them, and none of
them is motivated to stay at the school for a long time.
do not stay longer at the school as there are no houses for them, and none of
them is motivated to stay at the school for a long time.
“There
are five teachers here and that shows you how understaffed we are. Different
grades are combined into one single class to make it easier for teachers to
cope. Teachers do not stay for long and pupils are taught by new faces all the
time,” said Mahutse.
are five teachers here and that shows you how understaffed we are. Different
grades are combined into one single class to make it easier for teachers to
cope. Teachers do not stay for long and pupils are taught by new faces all the
time,” said Mahutse.
Local
parents also lamented the conditions at the school which they described as good
as a play centre for their children to pass their time.
parents also lamented the conditions at the school which they described as good
as a play centre for their children to pass their time.
“Nothing
is learnt at Turf as our children just go there to grow up and socialise with
their age-mates. During the rainy season, many parents would rather have their
children herding cattle and goats than to going to school where they benefit
nothing except to come back home with dirt uniforms,” said female parent.
is learnt at Turf as our children just go there to grow up and socialise with
their age-mates. During the rainy season, many parents would rather have their
children herding cattle and goats than to going to school where they benefit
nothing except to come back home with dirt uniforms,” said female parent.
Ward
15 Cllr Edson Chauke said the school faced a serious predicament as the
Ministry of Lands was yet to officially authorise the school’s location.
15 Cllr Edson Chauke said the school faced a serious predicament as the
Ministry of Lands was yet to officially authorise the school’s location.
“Conditions
there are really bad and that is tragic to the future of our children there.
The Ministry of Land is backtracking on pegging the school to make its siting
permanent.
there are really bad and that is tragic to the future of our children there.
The Ministry of Land is backtracking on pegging the school to make its siting
permanent.
“We
briefed our MP (Priscilla Moyo) about the state of affairs at the school and she
promised to assist in that regard. We will keep pushing to ensure that a way
out is found and conditions there are improved,” said Chauke.
briefed our MP (Priscilla Moyo) about the state of affairs at the school and she
promised to assist in that regard. We will keep pushing to ensure that a way
out is found and conditions there are improved,” said Chauke.
Mwenezi
Rural District Council (RDC), which is the responsible authority, through the
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Chivanga acknowledged the state of affairs
at the school.
Rural District Council (RDC), which is the responsible authority, through the
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Chivanga acknowledged the state of affairs
at the school.
Chivanga
told TellZim News in a telephone interview that schools which were unpegged and
are on private properties are difficult to develop until certain issues got clarified.
told TellZim News in a telephone interview that schools which were unpegged and
are on private properties are difficult to develop until certain issues got clarified.
The
entire Mwenezi district has a total of 172 schools, 102 of which are satellites,
having been born out of the often chaotic Land Reform Programme.
entire Mwenezi district has a total of 172 schools, 102 of which are satellites,
having been born out of the often chaotic Land Reform Programme.
Most
satellite schools in the district are in a sorry state, with Turf Primary being
just but an epitome of worse things going on.
satellite schools in the district are in a sorry state, with Turf Primary being
just but an epitome of worse things going on.
