Presbyterian High School, parents on collision cou...

Presbyterian High School, parents on collision course

Audrey Galawu

Presbyterian High School, Mhondoro parents have written a petition against the school accusing the school head and the School Development Committee of poor communication, direct intimidation of parents by the school head, and unfair procurement processes.

The school parents said they have not been getting updates or engagements with the school administration regarding operations and use of the SDC funds, unjustified school budgets and projects prioritisation and disgruntlement emanating from not getting satisfactory feedback from the school.

This comes after the SDC chairman, one Kawara resigned from his position at the backdrop of alleged unclear tendering of water tanks and stands for the school hostels.

Kawara resigned after he had a fall-out with the other members while in the process of purchasing water tanks and stands which has infuriated other parents.

In a petition which is dated July 5, the parents have asked the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to investigate the SDC.

“It has come to our attention that the SDC Chairperson has resigned and we know that the school head and his team are happy about this development, however, as parents this has motivated us even further to write this petition because we had noted some improvements judging from the feedback and outcomes on the mandate, we had given him after their election.

“We feel over the years that the school is gradually losing its core business and shifting more towards attaining personal gains of individuals.

“We are therefore kindly seeking your intervention in finding out more on the conduct of the school head and his administration and SDC by testing their business operations whether they are conforming to set statutory guidelines.

“Considering circular number 5 of 2023 MoPSE that we as parents be granted permission to visit the school for the purpose of familiarisation on the state of living conditions of our kids at their dormitories and classrooms,” reads the petition.

The SDC has, however refuted allegations of any dodgy dealings.

In a letter signed by the SDC vice chairman, treasurer, and the secretary, the SDC argued that Kawara was the one derailing progress of purchasing the tanks and stands.

“The SDC acknowledges the resignation of Mr Kawara, SDC chairman which he posted on social media platform dated July 2, 2023. We appreciate the contributions he made to the school as SDC chairman.

“However, we are baffled by the allegations raised by Mr Kawara after his resignation, because we were planning with him as a team. As the chairman, he was instrumental in drafting the school Development Plan which included the school water project.

“And in a full SDC meeting held on the 17th of June 2023, he presented four quotations he had sourced. As SDC, we agreed to purchase the water tanks, seven tank stands and 2 by 10 000l water tanks which he had sourced.

“As SDC, we agreed to purchase the water tanks and stands for all the hostels by Monday the 19th of June 2023. We agreed that the chairperson and the Secretary would go together and make the purchases.

“To our surprise on the agreed day of purchase, Mr Kawara who was in possession of the cash wanted to make a payment. We disputed this since it was unprocedural. This made Mr Kawara to unilaterally cancel the purchase and kept the money under his custody.

“The SDC had no choice but to collect the money from Mr Kawara for safe keeping.

"Mr Kawara later apologised for derailing progress which was at the expense of the learners.

"He went on to flight informal tenders afresh which we then used to purchase the tanks and stands on the 4th of July pending installation.

"We therefore, refute these allegations which are unfounded.

"We want to assure you parents and guardians that the SDC is in place and we will continue with the school development plan which we set through the leadership of Mr Kawara,” the SDC said.

The parents have also asked the Ministry to check the school's audit reports and monitor the school's operations for a year or two.