Chronicle Editor
Flora Fadzai Sibanda, [email protected]
WHILE most parents have gone through the excitement of seeing their children go through the first week of form one education, a widow, Ms Delani Masoha is battling with the reality that her 14 year old daughter might not sit in a classroom ever gain should, she fail to raise the money needed for school fees.
Ms Masoha’s daughter (name withheld) recently finished her Grade Seven at Tategulu Primary School.
She got seven points and is looking for money to clear school fees arrears so she can access her results.
“We are owing the school US$120. She was enrolled in the BEAM payment scheme and l thought they had paid for her fees from 2020 to 2023 only to be told they paid fees from 2021 to 2023. The school has since asked me to settle the 2020 balance and that is the challenge which l have because l am currently unemployed and l have no means of getting this money. The results we have we got them from the online website that is when l was able to see that my daughter did so well,” said Miss Masoha.
She said it breaks her heart to see her daughter crying everyday asking if they will ever get money so she can go back to school.
Apart from the balance they are expected to pay Ms Masoha said she also needs money to pay for her daughter’s enrollment in school, buy stationery and school uniforms.
“I am hopeful l will be able to put her under BEAM again. However, in order for her to qualify l need to pay first term’s school fees so that she can be put in the system. At this moment l am willing to be employed at crop fields so that l am able to pay for my daughter’s fees,” said Miss Masoha.
“I did not even think she would pass because of the conditions we live under as she would sometimes go to bed on an empty stomach. But she would always preach to me that mama l am going to pass,” she added.
With a trembling voice she said he is scared that if she doesn’t get the fees on time her daughter might become a negative statistic and she end up falling pregnant and falling prey to teenage marriage.
Cowdray Park’s Ward 28 councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu said he was saddened when he heard about the issue and as local authority and the community they are trying to approach organisations that might help.
He said the promising pupil is another girl child in the community who needs to be saved before she becomes another unfortunate statistic.
He urged community members and members of the public to chip in where they can.
“The mother of this intelligent young lady is unemployed and her father passed on so she should be our child and as communities we should all chip in. When l heard about her issue I immediately started contacting people so they can help. I am hopeful we will all not fail this little girl,” said Cllr Ndlovu.
The girl’s family can be contacted on:
+263 78 502 7321
+263 77 895 2607
@flora_sibanda
Online Reporter