The Sunday Mail
Extra Reporter
The conflict at Southlea Park Secondary School is a microcosm of the rot in the administration of funds in Zimbabwean schools at a time Government is battling to root out corruption in learning institutions.
There have been accusations and counter-accusations between Southlea Park Secondary school’s SDC chairperson and the teacher-in-charge over misappropriation of funds, a situation not peculiar to this institution.
Government has started a nationwide audit of schools to clean up the mess there, and now the role played by parents and school authorities has come under scrutiny.
“The squabbles at Southlea Park School are just typical of what is happening in almost all the schools in the country,” said an official at the Civil Service Commission.
“We are receiving complaints of this nature every now and then and it is clear that people who are managing our schools are now being driven by the love of money.”
Zimbabwe Schools Development Associations and Committees president Mr Claudio Mutasa said there was confusion over the roles and duties of different arms involved in school development and administration.
“There are clear statutes which govern the selection of SDC members and its formulation,” he said.
“Everything is defined in the statutes, the role of SDCs and school authorities, so there should not be that confusion because everything is stated clearly.”
Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Professor Paul Mavima said there should not be confusion between the roles of the SDC and those of the administration since they complement each other.
He said the two should always work together and agree on projects that are done at schools.
“Our policy is very clear on management of school funds, we don’t tolerate abuse of any kind and anyone doing that be it school authorities or members of the SDC should be reported,” he said.
“We do not want the SDC to disrupt the smooth running of the school because that will also affect the quality of education students get.
“We want good governance and planning in schools, each arm should perform its role without interfering with the other.”
According to education expert Dr Thembinkosi Tshabalala, SDCs in Zimbabwe are supposed to provide resources and assist in the operations and development of schools.
“They are expected to advance the moral, cultural, physical and intellectual welfare of the pupils in the schools and to promote the welfare of the school for the benefit of its present and future pupils, their parents, teachers and the community at large.
“SDCs preserve and maintain the property and facilities of the school, employ, pay and fire support staff and at times, employ additional teachers to serve the needs of the school conditions and terms approved by the Minister (through the Provincial Education Director).
“They are also expected to see and take professional advice on matters affecting the committee and the school.”
