SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO RURAL-There was peace and tranquility at the new educational institution, Riverton Academy Extension Murinye located 65km from Masvingo City despite disturbances witnessed on Sunday.
When The Midweek Watch visited the school, teachers, ancillary staff and learners were going about their business in contrast to the disturbances witnessed on Sunday when parents and guardians brought learners for the beginning of the first term.
Chief Murinye, born Ephias Munodawafa had blocked the school’s entrance with his official Isuzu twin cab sighting irregularities in the way the school was established including its location.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch during a tour of the new school which is penciled at a hilltop of the Mutangiri homestead, the school head, Archbald Sizolenkosi Nclube said they are happy with the situation although they have experienced an unexpected surge in learners who want to join them.
“The Sunday disturbances have caused a dilemma to us as we have now been forced to increase the number of classes from the targeted number when we started. Our enrolment has surged from the planned 180 to over 220 and this has forced us to acquire more equipment and open more classrooms to cater for the new applicants,” said the soft spoken Ncube.
“We want to thank parents and guardians from in and outside the country for their trust in our learning institutions,” he added.
Riverton Academy, known for churning out some of the best results in Zimbabwe has learners drawn from all over the country and the region mainly from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Mauritius.
In an interview with The Midweek Watch Masvingo Provincial Education Director Shylatte Mhike said classes should continue at the school whilst outstanding issues are being attended to.
“The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira has instructed classes to continue at the new learning institution whilst outstanding issues are being resolved. Our team is on the ground and they will present a report after their tour today,” said Mhike.
