Mpopoma teachers complain over exclusion

DISTRICT athletics finals winning Mpopoma High School teachers have petitioned their headmaster over their exclusion from coaching the team for the provincial finals on March 7-8.

Mpopoma have been the mainstay of the district team. They have dominated the district finals and provided the most in terms of numbers and quality of athletes for the team that has been sent to the provincial track and field championships.

In a signed letter by the school’s sports committee, the teachers wrote: “As Mpopoma High School Athletics Committee, we write to ask for clarity and express displeasure on changes made to coach athletics in preparation for the District Competitions.

“First and foremost, there was no engagement on the pros and cons of both the new and the old system. Thus, we do not understand the sudden shift. According to new regulations, teachers who wish to train the district team are supposed to apply and be interviewed. Interviews are apparently carried out by the other teachers which is another area of concern.

“From our understanding as per Ministry regulations, interviews are only done by the human resources officers.”

In the past, it was automatic that winning schools’ coaches take charge.

The letter was addressed to Sihle Sibanda the acting headmistress and indications are that the district education inspectorate bosses want the matter resolved internally as a matter of urgency.

Mpopoma athletics coaches are not happy that they spent 2023 preparing for this term’s competitions. Winning resoundingly was a fitting tribute to a team that worked hard for the results.

Coincidentally the last two teams to excel at the national finals had teachers from Mpopoma coaching the provincial team as well.

Bulawayo has struggled in athletics because of egos among the headmasters who have failed to put the sport first and provincial pride.

The document was signed by 12 teachers of one of Bulawayo’s most famous secondary schools.

Copied is Mzilikazi District Schools Inspector, William Ncube, the headmaster of Magwegwe who chairs the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) athletics portfolio in the district and provincial high schools athletics boss Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu of St Bernard’s.

Victoria Falls will play host to the national athletics finals for both Nash and the National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) on March 23-24 amid revelations that Bulawayo Province has attracted a sponsor.

Efforts to get a comment from Ncube on why Mpopoma coaches were overlooked were fruitless at the weekend.