THE Primary and Secondary Education ministry has launched a probe at Mpumelelo Primary School in Nkayi, Matabeleland North province, following a basket of complaints made by residents including a poor pass rate.
Parents and guardians are up in arms against the school head, Vongai Masunda, and her administration accusing them of maladministration, making unilateral decisions and playing the tribal card.
The community also blamed the school head for the poor pass rate. The school registered a 6% pass rate in last year’s final examinations.
The community on Wednesday confirmed that education officials descended on the school following media reports about the situation at the educational institution.
Nkayi Community Parliament speaker Nhlanhla Ncube welcomed the probe saying it was long overdue.
“The response befits the gravity of the matter considering that the education our children is at stake,” Ncube said.
“The pathetic pass rate, over the years, has arguably produced academic skeletons that have filled our community.
“We hope that the current investigation is not just a window dressing show meant to cover up the failure of the school.”
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Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said they were looking into the matter when contacted for comment.
The school head refused to comment.
Last week, Nkayi community members said they were facing challenges with the school head in relation to service delivery and the running of the school.
School development committee chairperson Doreen Sunduza said the head was in the habit of making unilateral decisions, including raising school fees without consulting stakeholders.
The school reportedly has an enrolment of 600 plus students.
Mpumelelo High School is in ward 22, Nkayi South and has a catchment area of nine villages and five feeder primary schools such as Mtshatshane, Katasa, Zenka, Mabayi and Mdlawuzweni.
