Tafadzwa Nyikadzino
Teachers at Chogugudza Primary School in Ward 4 Domboshava are alleged to be demanding US$2 per child, per week for them to conduct lessons, Domboshava Dot Coms has learnt.
The development has caused an outcry from parents with children learning at the school as some alleged that pupils whose parents have failed to pay the fee are not being taught during normal lesson times as teachers are only concentrating with those who pay them.
Parents who spoke to this publication said the development started this year and has persisted despite the fact that the school hiked its fees to ZWL$80 per term last year.
“The school hiked its fees to ZWL$80 last year in December. But teachers are charging Usd$2 per week per child for extra lessons that are held during lessons. Kids who pay for extra lessons are taught separately and given home works. And are called sometimes to remain behind for further coaching. This is happening in all classes from grade 1 up to 7”, said a parent who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Information we have gathered reveals that an average classroom at the school has 50 pupils. This means that a single teacher could be making USD$100 per week if every pupil pays up. In a month, a teacher at Chogugudza primary can make USD$400 per month on top of his/her salary.
Another parent told Domboshava Dot Coms that complaints have been raised to the school head, Mr Albert Dube but he has not done anything to address the problem, raising suspicions that he may have a hand in these acts.
“We registered our complaints to the school head, Mr Albert Dube but nothing is being done to stop these acts. We think he has a hand in all this because his silence over the matter is worrying. The school is deteriorating under his watch and no meaningful development is taking place. We call upon the relevant authorities to step in and stop these acts”, said the parent.
In an exclusive interview with Domboshava Dot Coms, Chogugudza school Head, Mr Albert Dube said he is not aware of this issue although he has heard rumours on social media about teachers asking parents to pay for lessons at his school, and is yet to receive a formal complaint about the issue.
“I am not aware of this issue. I have seen rumours circulating on social media that our teachers are demanding parents to pay for lessons though I am yet to receive a formal complaint. I encourage parents to come forward and give us the names of teachers who are doing that for us to root out this problem because it is illegal for teachers to be paid to conduct lessons by parents when they are being paid by the government to do their job. So I encourage parents to corporate with us so that we can root out this problem” said Dube.
A lot of parents are disgruntled by this issue and have vowed to take the matter to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary education.
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