adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
PARENTS with children at Senzangakhona Primary School in Bulawayo’s Emganwini are up in arms against the decision by the education officers to transfer their children to a school still under construction.The move is meant to decongest the school which is among schools in the suburb affected by hot itting.
The new government school under construction has two incomplete classroom blocks and toilets. The school is yet to get furniture and other essentials.
Bulawayo provincial education director, Dan Moyo confirmed the plans to relocate some pupils saying his office was working on sourcing furniture.
He, however, said he was not aware that parents were against the move. “We are still looking for furniture for the new school. There is no money to buy new chairs so we are moving around some schools in Bulawayo collecting old chairs that we will take to the public works for repairs,” said Moyo.
He said once the furniture was availed to the school, the pupils will be moved to the new school. “For now, we will move the ECD, grades 1, 2 and 3 classes. The school will be called Emganwini 2 Primary School for now until the city council gives us a name,” he said.
Authorities at Senzangakhona said they have already been advised that some of the teachers will be moved to the new school.
Parents said yesterday that they were against the move as facilities at the new school were not ready to accommodate pupils.
“We were told that our children will be moved to the new school soon but buidlings are not yet complete and to make matters worse there is no furniture,” said a parent who refused to be named.
The school is yet to be connected to the water reticulation system and at present is using borehole water. There is no perimeter fence.
Some parents said they were not against the move to decongest their school but wanted authorities to first complete construction work and provide the required learning materials as well as furniture.
“We have no problem with our children being moved to the school because it reduces walking distances for most of them but it is not yet ready for use.”
The parents said it was important for Bulawayo City Council health inspectors to inspect the school before pupils were moved.
Online Reporter