Chronicle Editor
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
PARENTS with children attending Coalfields Primary School are mulling legal action against the school over its continued defiance of a Government directive not to turn away learners over unpaid fees.
The private school barred learners, who hadn’t paid at least 50 percent of their fees, from entering the premises prompting parents to stage a protest against the headmistress Mrs Martha Zikhali.
Parents accused the school of using parallel market rates for payment of fees in local currency.
Coalfields Primary’s fees is pegged at US$470 per term and the school uses an exchange rate of US$1:ZWL$150 bringing the total to ZWL$70 500.
District Schools Inspector (DSI) Walter Moyo intervened on the standoff on Monday and learners were allowed to attend classes while the school and parents engaged.
However, from Tuesday, learners that hadn’t paid fees were confined to the school hall.
“Just when we thought we had resolved the issue, we hear that the head has reverted to her defiance. Parents were given the impression that their children were attending classes yet they are being kept in the hall. This is needs to be stop and it’s part of the reason we are considering suing the school,” said one parent.
Some parents have withdrawn their children from the school citing victimisation by teachers and taunting by other learners.
“My son did not attend school today after being victimised yesterday by the teachers. He is one of the children who have been targeted because of my stance. All I know is that the school violated my child’s rights. Yesterday they allowed the kids into class and once they were sure that parents had gone, they fished them out and sent them to the hall. How can the school act above the law?” said the parent.
Coalfields Primary board of directors chairperson Mr Andrew Kondowe was unreachable for comment yesterday.
Matabeleland North Provincial Education Director, Mr Jabulani Mpofu, said he had asked the DSI to investigate further.
“I heard of the school and we are interested to know what is going on. So, I have sent the DSI to investigate and he should be reporting soon,” said Mr Mpofu.
Online Reporter