THE second term school calendar ended last week and parents are now busy saving money to pay fees for the third time that begins a few weeks from now.

Despite the harsh prevailing economic climate that is fast eroding households’ disposable incomes, Zimbabweans want to provide the best education to their children.

They sacrifice to send children to the best schools and toil hard to pay for fees.

However, events that unfolded in recent weeks in the education sector as a result of a nationwide audit exercise that unearthed rampant corruption and theft at schools dampened the mood of many a parent.

Several schools heads were arrested together with some accounts clerks on allegations of stealing thousands of dollars paid as fees and levies.

All this came out thanks to a sample audit exercise that was done on a few selected schools.

The results of that exercise shocked many as it gave a general overview of how funds are being badly handled in schools.

Elsewhere in this issue we carry a story in which Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Edward Shumba, hinted that a holistic audit exercise is on the cards since the sample audit gave a gloomy picture of how money is being stolen in broad daylight.

Of course, this pronouncement does not ring well with some school administration that were missed by the exercise, yet they are notorious for looting fees left, right and centre.

Yes, they should quack in their shoes because they have skeletons to hide.

We strongly recommend this all-encompassing audit for it will yield all rotten elements and send them where they rightfully belong that is the custody of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

What we are sure of is that many will be arrested for bleeding empty school coffers.

“The corruption is bigger than we have imagined.

“We don’t want to leave things to guess work. The audit team needs to visit each and every school because what we got from the sample survey was shocking. If we assume that things are okay we run the risk of plunging ourselves into more trouble.

“We need to instill a culture of accountability and that is only achievable if people know that at one time their books will be checked and those found wanting taken to the cleaners,” said Mr Shumba.

We urge those carrying out the audit exercise to remain professional and shun brown envelopes that will be thrown their way as some people try to defeat the course of justice.

If this vice is left to continue unabated our education system will be grounded.

Like we have said before, culprits must face the full wrath of the law as well as losing their teaching posts.

In the end, what we need to see is a sound education sector were all financial matters are run properly and made public to parents and guardians.

Parents, on the other hand must not rest on their laurels and let school heads loot money without making complaints.

They must be on the driving seat and direct how their children’s education centre out to be run and not to take the back seat.

Had it not been that the audit team is currently attached to the Midlands Province, we would have urged Mr Shumba and his colleagues to visit all schools before schools open to ensure that the money we are going to pay as fees for the third term is going to safe hands.

Parents have had enough.