Parents of first-year students at St. Mary’s High School in Wedza are incensed because, in spite of paying $1,500 in tuition, their kids are sleeping on the ground.
There is an issue at the school, which has a big enrolment, where some pupils are being made to sleep on mattresses without supports.
The school’s choice to enrol so many children in spite of current building work has drawn criticism from the parents.
The headmaster of St. Mary’s High, only identified as Mr. Dzvairo, apologised for any difficulty caused and gave an explanation for the delay in the new hostel project—which was brought on by severe rains.
He said as a temporary measure, the school hall was renovated and several Form 1 girls were accommodated there under the care of the hostel warden.
“May I take this opportunity to outline our current situation pertaining to our students’ welfare, especially the Form Ones.
“The school has enrolled 220 Form 1 girls and 120 boys so far. Our aim has been that all the Form 1 girls would be housed in the new hostel, once completed.
“Our target was to complete the new hostel by the end of December 2023; a target that failed because of heavy rains that we experienced. “The project is now at roof level and we continue to pray that without further disturbances, the work would be completed soon.
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“We are working flat out to complete our major project so that we can move our girls to the new hostel.
“May I therefore take this opportunity to sincerely apologise for all the inconveniences caused to our beloved learners and children.”
Parents are, however, not amused.
“Imagine, we paid US$1 500 plus an extra US$70, but our children are sleeping on the floor. Are all these monies we paid being accounted for?” said one parent.
Another parent said:
“We are not sure if the block under construction will be completed before the term ends.
“Why did they enrol so many students when they surely know there is construction in progress? This is unfair to us and our children.”
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