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Multimedia: Parents demonstrate for school head’s resignation

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SCORES of placard-waving parents from Rugare suburb in Harare yesterday stormed Rugare Government Primary School demanding the resignation of headmistress Gladys Nyamagodo and the School Development Committee over alleged abuse of funds and general maladministration.

SCORES of placard-waving parents from Rugare suburb in Harare yesterday stormed Rugare Government Primary School demanding the resignation of headmistress Gladys Nyamagodo and the School Development Committee over alleged abuse of funds and general maladministration.

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The parents complained of alleged abuse of pupils by teachers, and the general non-committal attitude shown by teachers towards their work, among others.

Parents demonstrating against the headmistress and the School Development Commitee of Rugare Primary School over alleged mismanagement of funds and child abuse.
Parents demonstrating against the headmistress and the School Development Commitee of Rugare Primary School over alleged mismanagement of funds and child abuse.

Angry parents only cooled down following the intervention of Primary and Secondary Education ministry officials who were led by Harare deputy provincial education director Joice Maphosa who promised to investigate the allegations.

“We want to thank you as parents for managing to bring out your grievances. We are going to sit down and see how we can solve that,” Maphosa said.

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“All the abuses you mentioned on children will be investigated. That is not allowed by the country’s laws. We will also call for an independent auditor to check on your allegations. The financial statements will be released to you and if there is any mismanagement, then we will call police to act.”

A woman carries a banner protesting over Rugare Primary School headmistress.
A woman carries a banner protesting over Rugare Primary School headmistress.

According to parents, there has been a series of aborted meetings between parents and the school, leading to yesterday’s demonstration.

Rugare Primary School headmistress Gladys Nyamagodo who is being accused of abusing the school's funds.
Rugare Primary School headmistress Gladys Nyamagodo who is being accused of abusing the school’s funds.

“The headmistress and her committee have been playing hide-and-seek with us. When we call for meetings they always shun them because they know we are going to ask for the financial statements,” an irate parent who identified herself as Silibaziso Sibanda said.

Deputy provincial education director Joyce Spiwe Maposa and District Education Officer Davy Ziweni note down parents complaints.
Deputy provincial education director Joyce Spiwe Maposa and District Education Officer Davy Ziweni note down parents complaints.

“We want them to explain why they are ignoring school infrastructure at the expense of renovating the school head’s house. That is irresponsible for the head, deputy and all her staff. Our children in Early Childhood Development are learning outside classrooms this winter yet authorities have the pleasure of misusing our money.”

Another parent, Eunice Kampila, said her Grade Seven grandchild was severely assaulted and had to nurse swollen cheeks for two weeks.

Although parents remained adamant that the school head and her teachers should be dismissed immediately, Maphosa urged them to remain patient as the Civil Service Commission investigates the matter.