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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Plumtree Correspondent
HERENTALS College has closed its Plumtree branch due to a low enrolment, leaving parents fuming as they were told of the decision a day before the opening of the new school term.

Mr Dumisani Nyoni who had a child learning at the college said parents were informed on January 2 when lessons were set to resume the following day of the decision to close the college.

“My daughter was going for Form Three this year and all along we were under the impression that the college was opening on January 3. On the evening of January 2, the school suddenly called me saying that we shouldn’t bring our children as the school was closing with immediate effect.

“When schools closed last year we were issued with letters saying lessons would resume on 3 January. They even sent reminders on December 30 but we were shocked when they suddenly said they were closing,” he said.

Mr Nyoni said parents requested for transfer letters but the school’s administration did not provide any.

He said this has inconvenienced pupils and parents who were now being forced to look for alternative schools at short notice.

Mr Nyoni said the school’s administration said the college was closing as it was operating at a loss.

“The school has disrespected us as parents by failing to notify us formally and on time about the new development. This college came to Plumtree and we supported them out of good faith but they have proved that they are not worthy of our support,” he said.

A senior official from the college who preferred anonymity said the college, which opened its Plumtree branch in January last year, only had 50 pupils from Form One to Form Six.

He said this had made it difficult for the school to operate as rentals had increased from $500 to $1 800 per month which was way above what the college was making.

The official said it was difficult for them to notify parents on time as the directive to shut the school was issued by management a day before opening day.

“We have shut down the Plumtree branch but management has promised to put up a permanent structure in the near future and then it will open permanently. The college failed to attract many pupils and the enrolment was 50 pupils from Form One to Six which made it difficult to operate.

“We were operating at a loss as the college was supposed to pay rentals and salaries from that little money that was raised through school fees payments,” said the senior official.

Pupils at the college were paying between $30 and $35 per term.

— @DubeMatutu