Government defied! Parents forced to buy stationery and tracksuits from school

MTHOMBOWESIZWE Primary School in Entumbane is forcing parents to purchase plastic and khakhi covers as well as tracksuits from the institution, despite numerous warnings by the Government against the practice.

When Chronicle Online arrived at the Bulawayo City Council-owned school, there was a hive of activity, some parents were at the reception paying school fees while others had queued at the bursar’s office were unreceipted money for covers was being paid

Acknowledgment of receipt of money was on a stamped rectangular-shaped small piece of paper.

“The school is forcing us to purchase these things here, I for one had bought my covers for my child but I was told that there were not wanted so I must buy from the school, hence I am here in the queue,” said a parent who declined to be named.

The covers are going for US$1.50 for small exercise books and US$2 for large exercise books while tracksuits are being sold for US$15.

“To make it even more hard for us, these monies are paid in US dollars, they are not accepting any other form of currency or payment,” said another parent.

One of the two people at the bursar’s office refused to entertain questions.

“I cannot respond to your questions, I think the School Development Committee or the Head of the school are most appropriate,” said the woman.

She refused to provide the Head of SDC chairperson’s contact numbers.

“Give me your contacts so that one of them calls you,” she said.