Chronicle EditorMkhululi Ncube, Chronicle Reporter
DISGRUNTLED parents of Lobengula Primary School in Bulawayo’s Mzilikazi suburb are up in arms with the school authorities over alleged embezzlement of school funds among other irregularities.
They raised 28 issues, which they feel should be attended to through a petition to the Bulawayo provincial education director`s office and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.
The parents are demanding external auditors to audit the books and have since called for meeting with Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials.
Chronicle is in possession of a copy of the parents’ petition.
“The following is a summary list of issues at stake at Lobengula Primary School that we wish should be investigated. Parents are made to pay extra top-ups for school and examination fees for Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) beneficiaries,” read the petition.
“The school is issuing out fake receipts to parents and then record on a piece of bond paper, which does not show the amount being paid. It also does not have signature of the receipting officer.”
According to the petition, the school is charging exorbitant prices for uniforms which it is selling.
“We need to investigate and verify how this benefits the school and the parents. We also demand to know who is behind this contracted company and how it is benefiting the school,” read the document.
The parents are also alleging that the school has introduced a gate pass which must be shown to the security guard each time a parent or pupil enters the school premises.
Among other allegations raised, parents and guardians are accusing one of the senior staff members of using vulgar language to insult pupils.
“We suspect that Lobengula Primary School is flouting regulations by using flawed internal control systems that expose the school resources to pilferage. This school is charging parents heavily and is operating like a private school,” said the parents.
They said when their children were enrolled, they were asked to each pay a total of US$264 for building fund and school uniforms but now they are demanding an extra US$20.
The parents also accused the teachers of illegally conducting extra lessons and demanding payment.
They also want an investigation into the delays in the completion of an ECD classroom whose construction they have been funding since 2015.
“Our conclusion is that the school authorities are deliberately tampering with the internal control systems in order to benefit at the expense of the school. Given the manner in which they haphazardly handle finances, some vulnerable children who should be benefiting from the Government BEAM are forced to drop out of school,” read the petition.
“It is also our worry that there has been lack of transparency for years now but the responsible authorities are failing to take notice.”
The chairperson for the School Development Committee, Mr Prince Sibanda confirmed the developments at the school.
“The allegations being levelled againt the school authorities by the parents are true. The school head has rendered the SDC irrelevant. The school has also lost quite a number of teachers to others schools in the province due to the head’s management style,” he said.
The school is selling its uniforms for US$115 and is forcing parents to buy the uniforms from the school.
“Shockingly a majority of parents who bought the uniforms are yet to receive them. The school seem to be interested in milking money from parents as it runs a number of fundraising activities,” said Mr Sibanda.
Contacted for comment on the matter, Primary and Secondary School spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro said whenever parents have issues with school authorities, they should approach local education offices.
“They should allow the ministry to carry out proper investigations and give recommendations. They should contact the District Schools Inspector (DSI) for a way forward,” said Mr Ndoro. – @themkhust
Online Reporter