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Midlands Bureau
Authorities at Zhaugwe Secondary School in remote Shurugwi have expressed concern at the rate at which girls are dropping out of school to get married.Addressing parents and guests at the school’s prize giving day on Thursday last week, the deputy headmaster, Mr Allen Mutazu, said parents were marrying off their daughters who were as young as 13 years old affecting the school’s enrolment.
“We are appealing to parents to support the girl child. The problem of premature marriages is affecting the school in a big way. Some of the pupils who are getting married are quite intelligent. The problem is being caused mainly by hunger. We need to work together, teachers and parents, to end the problem. Parents should not accept lobola from men who seek to marry their daughters,” he said.
Mr Mutazu also highlighted the challenge of accommodation at the school where eight teachers were sharing a cottage with five rooms.
Zhaugwe Secondary School is a satellite school for Dorset Secondary School that has classes from Form One up to Form Four. It was established in 2002 and the school has a single classroom block that is still under construction.
“All our classes conduct their lessons in one classroom. This affects lessons. If a pupil cracks a joke, the rest of the classes join in the laughter. We are forced to squeeze all the pupils in one classroom because it is the only one that is roofed, albeit, partly. If we let other classes conduct their lessons outside, they will be exposed to harsh weather elements like wind and rains.
We will have to bear with the challenge for now until some organisations come to our rescue. Our teachers are also crowded in a cottage that has five rooms. Some of them are sharing their rooms with stationery and text books. This is highly dangerous because the pile of books might fall on the sleeping teacher,” said Mr Mutazu.
On a positive note, Mr Mutazu said the school recorded an improved performance in its Ordinary Level results, from zero percent to 40 percent pass rate.
He attributed the good results to teamwork between teachers and parents.
“Our 40 percent pass rate also resulted in our position in the district improving from 29 to four. For the first time, we had some pupils who went for Advanced Level. Our best pupil for 2012, Thomas Pombi, scored two As and four Bs. We are now aiming for a 50 percent pass rate.
If we continue to work in line with our theme: ‘Together we can’, we will definitely succeed. I can foresee more girls passing this time. The classroom block is taking shape thanks to parents who moulded bricks. I am calling upon parents whose children are still in primary to work together with parents whose children are at this secondary school. Eventually your children will come here, so let’s help build this school together,” said Mr Mutazu.
The school has an enrolment of 160 pupils and eight teachers. Guest of honour, former Midlands Governor Dr Cephas Msipa pledged to assist intelligent pupils from both Zhaugwe and Dorset Secondary Schools pursue their studies at tertiary level through the CG Msipa Scholarship Trust.
He urged parents to support their children in their studies since education was an empowering tool.
“I was born in a poor family but I was empowered by education. My parents sent me to school. This is what I want all parents to do for your children. I agree with the head that all parents should help in the development of the secondary school, even if your child might still be in primary school.
I was indeed touched by the teachers’ accommodation quarters. Even the classroom structure is pathetic. I promise to engage the Tongogara Community Share Ownership Scheme/Trust to come on board and help. The trust was given $10 million to help develop the whole of the Shurugwi community. I will also engage Unki Mines and show them what needs to be done here,” said Dr Msipa.
Dr Msipa said stakeholders should help improve the school and eventually acquire computers for the school to allow the children to move with the times.
He urged parents to mould more bricks for teachers’ houses and more classroom blocks.
“You should contribute towards the development of your community. The teachers we have here are graduate teachers, some have degrees while others have Diplomas in Education. It is touching that these teachers are committed to teach in such a remote area where there are no houses.
I want to say to all teachers who teach here, you are true heroes. This is true service to the country. Thank you for committing your lives to teach these children in such a remote area,” said Dr Msipa.
The former Midlands Governor urged the school teachers to place equal importance in all the aspects of education, including the technical subjects and sports.
He said in today’s world, sport was a profession that was equally rewarding as academic subjects.
“I urge teachers to continue shaping the future of these children. To parents, please avoid marrying off your daughters at such a tender age. I am shocked that there are adult men who are prepared to propose marriage to a 13-year old girl. Such men are mad. I am glad the school accepts back girls who would have dropped out due to pregnancy or early marriage,” said Dr Msipa.
Online Reporter