The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
COMPLICATED school admission dynamics have become a headache for some parents looking for Form One places as most high-performing schools have halved their intakes in compliance with Covid-19 protocols.
There is a growing demand for places at high-performing schools in the province, most of which have responded by halving their enrolments in compliance with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols on Covid-19.
And as boarding and church-run schools slash their Form One enrolments, pressure is mounting on urban day schools to accommodate the rest of the students.
However, the day schools do not have the requisite infrastructure to cater for all the students.
The resulting high demand for the few available Form One places has created an incredible variation in admission policies, with individual schools using different criteria to either admit or push prospective pupils away.
Some boarding schools have imposed a ‘discriminatory’ fees regime to push prospective students away, while at the same time demanding upfront payment of school uniforms at a time when schools are still closed.
Mavhudzi High School in Nyazura is charging $50 820 inclusive of fees and uniforms, while St Faith’s High in Rusape is charging $60 000 for fees and uniforms.
St Faith’s, St Augustine’s High, St Mathias Tsonzo and St David’s Bonda Girls High, among other Anglican Schools, are charging between $20 000 and $30 000 for fees and an extra US$500 for a “mission fund”.
Provincial Education Director, Mr Edward Shumba said the mission fund was not approved by the Government and therefore illegal.
“Besides, school fees is supposed to be paid in RTGS, it is illegal to charge in USD,” he said.
Anglican Diocese of Manicaland bishop, Bishop Eric Ruwona, said the mission centre fee was not a new thing, adding that it was used to maintain the learning institutions.
“We have been charging the mission fund from the time the schools were founded. Without this fund, most of the schools would not have been developed.
“Our infrastructure that include classrooms, teachers’ accommodation and dormitories has deteriorated and we need to maintain the existing infrastructure and build new schools,” said Bishop Ruwona.
Due to the exorbitant charges, most parents and guardians find themselves in a difficult space.
“There is a lot of stress and sleepless nights. I am so desperate to secure a place for my child,” said Ms Evelyn Mupindu, whose child scored eight units.
Mr Nobert Rupiya said his child scored seven units, but has surprisingly not been accepted at any of the schools they have visited so far, hinting that money could be exchanging hands between school authorities and desperate parents.
He challenged the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to investigate the admission of Form One pupils.
“I need help, my child got seven units at Grade 7, and I applied online, but to my surprise no school has accepted the child, while those with 15 units have already been accepted. I do not understand the criteria being used,” he said.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s deputy spokesperson, Mr Patrick Zumbo, reiterated that schools should follow WHO guidelines.
“It has come to our attention that there is some misunderstanding with regards to Form One 2021 boarding school enrolment. Heads of schools are advised that as they do their enrolments, they must follow the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and WHO protocols on Covid-19.
“School heads are further advised that schools remain closed. Meanwhile, they are encouraged to continue finding ways of reaching learners without face-to-face interaction,” said Mr Zumbo.
The National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) president, Mr Arthur Maphosa, implored Government to declare schools a state of disaster to enable resource mobilisation for the development of adequate school infrastructure.
“It is a big challenge that boarding schools are slashing their enrolment numbers. This will affect many as most urban day schools are already conducting hot seating due to lack of adequate infrastructure,” said Mr Maphosa, adding that this will also affect Lower Six students as well.
He said any increase in numbers in the day schools without the requisite infrastructure and enough personal protective equipment may turn the learning institutions into Covid-19 super spreaders.
“Government may have to declare the schools’ situation a state of disaster and come up with a robust plan for the infrastructure development in order to accommodate the students,” said Mr Maphosa.
