Audit nails fake certificate teacher

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
A WOMAN from Bulawayo is on the run after allegedly forging an O-Level certificate to get teacher training and employment to teach Early Childhood Development classes at a city school. Nothando Ndlovu, 36, of Pumula South suburb, allegedly dismally failed her O-Levels in 1996, obtaining only one Grade C in English language.

Sources said she forged an O-Level certificate with eight excellent passes. “She used it to obtain a place at the United College of Education (UCE) where she obtained a diploma in teaching,” said a source. Ndlovu allegedly used the teacher’s certificate to get employment at the Bulawayo City Council-run Ngwalongwalo Primary School in Pumula South.

Sources at the school said her luck ran out when she submitted her qualifications to the Ministry Public Service, Labour and Social Services for a staff audit. “The Ministry discovered her O-level certificate was fake and she disappeared from the school about two weeks ago,” said the source.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Precious Simango said Ndlovu has been on the wanted list since October 15.

“She sat for four O-Levels in 1996 and only passed English with a C. She went on to forge an O-Level certificate where she obtained eight O-Levels. She used her forged certificate to gain entrance at a teacher training college,” said Insp Simango.

She appealed to members of the public who may have information on Ndlovu’s whereabouts to contact the police.

Parents with children at Ngwalongwalo Primary School said authorities held an emergency meeting after news filtered through that Ndlovu forged her certificates.

One of the parents who spoke to The Chronicle said Ndlovu started teaching at the school at the beginning of September when schools opened.

“She taught our ECD children from the beginning of third term and fled on October 14 after it became public that she was bogus. The school called parents to an emergency meeting where they were told about her scandal resulting in the employment of another teacher,” said the parent.

The Chronicle could not obtain comment from the Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Dan Moyo yesterday.