Parents of first-graders at St Mary’s Secondary School in Wadza are angry that their children are sleeping on the floor despite paying US$1,500 in fees.
The school, which has a large number of students enrolled, is experiencing a crisis, as some students are forced to sleep on mattresses without rules.
Parents criticize the school’s decision to enroll such a large number of students despite ongoing construction work.
The principal of St Mary’s Secondary School, whose name is only Mr Dzvayro, issued an apology for the inconvenience caused and explained that the new hostel project had been delayed due to heavy rains.
He said that as a temporary measure, the school hall was renovated and several first-class girls were accommodated there under the care of the hostel director.
“May I take this opportunity to clarify our current situation with regard to the welfare of our students, especially the model students.
“The school has enrolled 220 Grade 1 girls and 120 boys so far. Our target was for all the Grade 1 girls to be housed in the new hostel once it is completed.
“Our target was to complete the new lodge by the end of December 2023; a target that failed due to the heavy rains we experienced. “The project is now at roof level and we continue to pray that the work will be completed soon without further disruption.
“We are working hard to complete our major project so that we can move our girls to the new hostel.
“So let me take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for all the inconvenience I have caused to our dear learners and children.”
However, the parents are not amused.
“Imagine we paid US$1,500 plus an additional US$70, but our children are sleeping on the floor. Is all this money we paid being accounted for?” said one parent.
Another parent said: “We are not sure if the building under construction will be completed before the end of the term.
“Why did they enroll so many students when they definitely knew there was construction going on? This is unfair to us and our children.” h metro
