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By Calvin Manika
Parents of learners at Borrowdale Primary School have objected to the organised plot by the school’s head to fundraise for the purchase of a Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education official’s vehicle.
Correspondence from the headmaster stamped 22 October 2021 addressed to parents notified of the Civies day on 29 October to fundraise for the Ministry’s district motor vehicle.
Responding to the letter, parents stomped the school’s WhatsApp group where they expressed displeasure on the call.
“On behalf of Borrowdale School parents, may I request the School Head to stop this civies fundraising initiative until we have come to a consensus with the ministry. May our SDC advise the concerned government department of our objection. As parents, we object unreservedly to this kind of fundraising initiative by a government ministry,” said one parent.
“Ndakazvimirira semubereki, I received the letter ye Civies. The bill of the money if it goes to buy a vehicle for a boss ku ministry how directly do the learners benefit? In total, there are 24 000 learners in the Northern District. They will get about $US4 800 000 ($4, 8 million). Already from the levies we pay, they get a percentage but now they want more money from us. The same ministry failed to provide adequate PPE for our teachers and learners.
“They could have at least subsidized Covid-19 test for the teachers doing some extra lessons. I feel Ministry is not being fair. And for them to sugar quote their letter and say to fight child marriages is unrealistic. They should use the resources they have to buy a car for their boss. Let’s not use the GIRL CHILD pasipo,” hinted another parent.
Parents are disappointed, as they think that the fundraising is meant to fraud them and finance unnecessary personal gains for officials at the expense of addressing major challenges at hand.
“True they are robbing us. If it was towards my school’s needs, I would not complain but that car is for their luxury. Child marriages can only be fought if there is proper education, government subsidies on school levies, and recreation centrrs not in a car. Mota dzirikushanda kumaminda kwavo havo,” noted one parent.
Parents are in agreement to boycott civies day highlighting that it is a daylight robbery as the Ministry service vehicles are supposed to be purchased by the government.
The affected parents said the District official does not work for Borrowdale school, therefore, his welfare is well-catered by the government, not parents.
“We have leaders who do not care about the people they lead. We had several initiatives aimed at making the teacher better and in the process benefit our children, the same people who oppress parents by inforcing dubious Ministry policies are the ones we are to buy a car for. This is theft and misappropriation. This is the thuggery that Anti Corruption Commission must know about and such evil elements should be removed from the learning processes. Let’s advance the teacher first, make the teacher comfortable and roll out e-learning.”
Parents blamed the Headmaster for writing such a letter asking for a car from parents who are already struggling.