SYDNEY MUBAIWA
GWERU- Teachers at Ntiyabezi Secondary School in Somabula in Vungu district are living in perpetual fear after a group of unknown assailants stormed the school premises leaving the residential cottages on fire.
The arson attack has disrupted the learning environment at the school, posing significant challenges to both leaners and teachers.
Gweru District Schools Inspector Tranos Mahlokozera confirmed the arson incident but he however, rubbished claims that the attacks were done by parents in a demonstration following the school’s string of poor results.
“I can confirm the incident but the case has nothing to do with the poor results produced by the school.
“That’s not it, to say parents were bitter about the school’s perennial records of zero percentage pass rate.
“However, there are allegations of mismanagement of funds by staff at the school. A group of auditors have been dispatched to find out whether these allegations are true,” he said.
A teacher who prayed for anonymity for fear of being victimised said the school was no longer safe following the incident.
“Our lives are at risk. We are appealing to authorities to come to our rescue and bring sanity at the school. Some teachers have fled the school following the disturbing incident.
“There is bad blood between parents and the school head following mismanagement of funds. The only solution which is ideal is to transfer the school head to another school,” she said.
She said the assailants smashed windows, removing window frames from the teachers’ houses.
She said the troubling incident follows the recent destruction of furniture at the school, a development which left students attending classes while sitting on the floor.
“This is a second time. Last time, they set fire on all the newly acquired furniture but it wasn’t this brazen,” she added.
