Zimpapers Logo

Whinsley Masara, Chronicle Reporter
PARENTS with children attending Zwangendaba High School in Lupane, Matabeleland North are demanding the transfer of the headmistress for allegedly hiring a debt collector in violation of Government policy.

Some parents yesterday said they had lodged several complaints against Ms Olinah Ndlovu at Lupane District Education Office, but no action has been taken against her so far.

Ms Ndlovu admitted to The Chronicle that she engaged a debt collector, but said parents are the ones who had made that request.

“I didn’t solely hire the debt collector but it was a long process after parents themselves had demanded to know how the school deals with the non- paying parents. After all, the debt collector doesn’t only serve this school alone but a number of others in the area.

“Right now I am sure, the non-paying parents are the ones telling you this,” she said.

A school development committee member who spoke on condition of anonymity accused the headmistress of running the school with an iron fist.

She said the debt collector was permanently located at the school.

A parent Miss Nozipho Ncube said some monies at the school were not being accounted for.  She said she paid $80 fees for her child who is on Form One , but was not given a receipt.

“Parents have lost a lot to the debt collector, including, livestock, properties, and even grain from government which is being distributed as aid to relieve them from the drought,” she said.

Teachers at the school told The Chronicle that some of them were threatened with transfers following the publication of a story in The Chronicle in September that there was a female teacher who was involved in a love triangle with some pupils. At that time, parents were blaming the headmistress of “protecting” the alleged lesbian teacher.

Earlier this year, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Lazarus Dokora, said it is illegal for schools to take parents who default paying school fees to debt collectors. He said if schools decide to take the legal route to recover outstanding fees they should approach the Small Claims Court, not debt collectors.  He reiterated that no child should be excluded from school for non-payment of fees.

— @winnie_masara