Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
AS the back-to-school fever gripped the city yesterday with thousands of learners headed back to their respective boarding schools for the start of the third term, Bulawayo police held awareness campaigns at the City Hall and OK Mart parking areas, warning parents to stay vigilant against drug and illegal substance peddlers targeting learners.
Schools open for the 2025 third term today and thousands of learners started trickling in at two major pick-up points reserved for learners heading back to boarding schools as early as 7AM. Several boarding schools are situated outside Bulawayo in Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North provinces, and other parts of the country.
A majority of learners were accompanied by their parents and guardians, who made last minute grocery and stationery shopping to ensure their children had adequate supplies for a smooth opening of the final lap of the 2025 academic year.
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nomalanga Msebele, said cases of learners being caught at school with drugs and illegal substances were rising and the contraband is always traced back to pick up points where drug peddlers operate from.
She told Chronicle at the City Hall parking area that police were not going to sit by and let drug peddlers turn the pick-up points as havens for criminal activities.
“Our message to guardians and parents today (yesterday) is very simple. Not every adult roaming around the two major pick up points for school borders at the City Hall and OK Mart parking areas has good intentions.
“Some of the individuals are, in fact, drug peddlers trying to sell marijuana and illicit alcohol commonly known as ‘njengu’ to school children travelling back to boarding schools,” said Insp Msebele.
“When the kids are caught in possession of drugs and alcohol at school they tell the school authorities that they bought the stuff from some individuals before boarding buses.
“Police are holding awareness campaigns at the major pick up points, to warn parents and guardians to stay vigilant and ensure their children don’t smuggle drugs and illegal substances into their bags before heading back to school,” she said.
“We also warn drug peddlers that the days of selling drugs and illegal substances to learners are over. The long arm of the law will make sure that criminal activities are not tolerated at public places such as areas where school children are picked up to go back to school,”
One of the parents, Mrs Thubelihle Moyo, said she did not buy school uniforms for her daughter who is in Form Three at a boarding school in Matabeleland North Province.
“My daughter’s school uniforms are still in a good condition and the only things that I had to buy were groceries and stationery such as books and pens,” she said.
“I wish her all best in her final examinations for the year and I made sure that she has everything she needs so that she is not distracted.”
Mr Frederick Nxumalo, who was seeing his 15-year-daughter off to Tsholotsho High School at the OK Mart parking area said he bought groceries to supplement the food that the learners at the school are given daily.
Other parents with children in boarding schools said they bought items such as hats and summer sports attire in line with changing weather patterns that were getting hotter by the day.
“My son is enrolled at a boarding school in Matabeleland South Province and he needed a new school uniform and groceries. I will add more groceries mid-term and take them to his school when the school calls for a parents-teachers meeting,” said Mr Aleck Msimanga.
Police have also warned against night travelling for learners heading back to school and announced that alert officers will be on the lookout for road unworthy vehicles.
“Police urge transport operators to ensure that their vehicles are certified fit before attempting to transport children to schools.
“Drivers should exercise caution, avoid speeding and above all, motorists are implored to comply with all road rules and regulations to prevent road traffic accidents,” read a statement from the ZRP.
“School authorities and transporters should ensure that buses and other forms of transport to be utilised for the movement of pupils are not overloaded at all costs.”
To avoid falling victims to criminals, schools have been urged to deposit school fees and tuition-related costs at banks.
“This precautionary measure will help minimise the risks of robbery and theft, as large sums of cash at school premises attract criminal attention,” reads the statement.
Meanwhile, Government has affirmed its commitment to building teachers’ capacity for work, ensure compliance with the school fees structure and provide a conducive learning environment for the term.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerai Moyo, has said the Government is prioritising teacher capacitation to guarantee successful curriculum delivery.
“Intensive training workshops, mentorship programmes and subject-specific panels are being conducted for professional development.
“Updated syllabuses and digital resources will be distributed to all schools by the end of 2025. So, by now, every teacher is in sync with the heritage-based curriculum,” he said.
“There have also been school visits by ministry officials to provide support and ensure compliance, as well as webinars and information-sharing platforms to foster public support for teachers.”
Minister Moyo said districts facing shortages were permitted to recruit locally to address staffing gaps.
“Efforts are also underway to improve infrastructure and provide resources in remote areas,” he said.
“We are collaborating with private partners to build new schools and upgrade facilities in rural areas.
“Several initiatives are being implemented, and these include providing land to private players to construct schools and expediting their registration.”
