By Brighton Chiseva
A school bus accident involving a Mapanzure Secondary School bus hired out for a Zanu PF programme in 2022 has ignited a firestorm of discontent among parents of Mapanzure High School, exposing deeper concerns over the institution’s management and fuelling a growing rift between parents and the school administration.
A planned demonstration by parents at the school, on Wednesday June 11, was averted after Muchakata Police intervened and mediated the situation. The parents had been planning to protest over several grievances concerning the school’s management and development.
The school head Clapos Chauraya confirmed the incident when contacted for comment by TellZim News and said the police saved the situation.
He said parents had some grievances and they would sit down to iron them out.
“The parents came probably with the intention to demonstrate over some grievances they had, however, the police intervened and stopped them. So we are going to engage them and address the concerns which involve the school bus,” said Chauraya.
The parents accuse the school head of giving Zanu PF their bus which was brought through bus levy and Zanu PF failed to account for it.
They were concerned about the decline of developmental projects at the school citing the decline of the cattle project, which they claimed had been allowed to die down. This, they argued, was symptomatic of a broader lack of development and investment in the school’s infrastructure and programs.
“There is no development at the school and we are worried, we used to have a cattle project but the beasts died and some ended up being taken for beef committees and that is a result of poor management by the school authority,” said one parent.
Another issue that sparked outrage among parents was the closure of A-level classes due to poor enrolment. The parents attributed this to declining academic results and a lack of development at the school, which they believed had led to a loss of confidence in the institution among the community.
“The school explained that learners were now preferring to go straight to college after O level and that resulted in poor enrolment. We understood this but the few who want to go for A level no longer have confidence in the school and would opt for better schools,” said another parent.
Parents also allege that some A-level teachers were often absent from school premises during school hours, with some reportedly spotted at local shops since they nolonger have classes.
They also complained about the school vehicle that was involved in another accident a few weeks ago and they claim the school did not even notify the parents adding to their frustrations.
However, despite the tensions, a meeting between parents and school authorities yesterday led to a breakthrough where the school administration allegedly agreed to convene a meeting to address the parents’ grievances and provide explanations on all the issues raised.
“The school agreed to convene a meeting and explain issues to us and we are looking forward to it, if they address all our concerns we would map a way forward.