dyton mupawaenda
THE story about the six students who decided to bunk lessons and book a lodge in Chitungwiza, for sexual activities, is a heartbreaking one.
In the last few days we have learnt that a whistleblower, who lifted the lid on the shenanigans of these six students, is a former head boy at one of the schools where some of the students are enrolled.
We have learnt that the whistleblower is the taxi driver who took the students to the lodge last week.
We now know that the three girls were from Excel College and the three boys were from Pathway, which are two private schools in Chitungwiza.
We also now know that two of the girls met their partners for the first time on that fateful day.
The dates could have been arranged by the other students.
One of the six students, aged 19, has since been taken into police custody to assist with investigations while the girls were referred for medical examinations before being released into their parents’ custody.
Investigations have revealed that one of the girls may have had sex with her partner.
Police last week confirmed the arrest of Royal Guest Lodge employee, Christabel Muchemwa, 36, for allowing the students to book rooms at the lodge even though the majority were under-age.
We have heard the principal of one of the two colleges saying, in a recorded statement, that they have committed to providing emotional guidance, as a short-term measure, to help the children’s parents get over the trauma they may have experienced as a result of these shock developments.
He said his college did not bear responsibility for the students’ actions as they did not escape from the college premises and so they were not under their jurisdiction.
The students, he said, actually left their homes purporting to be attending school but then chose to go to the lodge.
For us, what is important is to send a powerful message that the conduct of these students was WRONG and should be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
We should send the message to other students that such wild behaviour has not place in our educational system.
Our kids should know that we are investing in their education to build a foundation which will set them up to pursue a decent future for themselves and their children.
They should know that sex should never feature in their lives during their school years.
The events in Chitungwiza have shown us that such activities are happening and what is important right now is for the authorities at schools to ensure that they confront these demons and deal with them.
The parents should also monitor their children and see if there are signs which suggest that the kids, especially the girls, are being wooed into dangerous company.
It’s very clear that there were some gang leaders in the events in Chitungwiza.
We cannot leave this fight to the school authorities.
We all have a part to play.
Online Reporter