Embakwe 'denying pupils food' as punishment

The government has launched a probe following complaints that Embakwe High School in Mangwe District is denying pupils food as punishment for outstanding fees.

Sources said for more than a week now, pupils whose parents are in arrears in terms of school fees were being starved.

Some affected pupils at the boarding school are said to have returned to their homes, while others are relying on meagre supplies brought from home.

The harsh treatment saw some pupils whose fees is fully paid up refusing to eat any meals at the school's dining hall on Monday.

In addition the school's headmaster, Martin Ndlovu is reported to be threatening pupils who are not fully paid. Ndlovu could not be reached for comment yesterday but Mangwe District Education Officer, Headman Mpofu said his office was investigating the issue.

"I received a report on the issue and it is being looked into. We have notified our head office in Gwanda and a meeting between the school authorities, education officials and parents will be held to resolve this issue.

"The matter is being dealt with. We are investigating these complainants from parents," he said.

Parents who approached Chronicle said the school authorities were punishing pupils for school fees balances as low as $5.

"The school authorities should not have handled the issue of unpaid fees like this. They should have written letters to us as parents instead of punishing our children because this is just uncalled for.

"It appears that the school authorities had a meeting on their own where they agreed that pupils would be denied food but they did not tell us that they were taking actions against the children. My child was being denied meals just because he owes the school $10. They are not even considering the amount of money owed by pupils, even a pupil with a $5 balance is being punished," said a parent.

He added that in addition the school authorities were ill-treating pupils with outstanding fees.

"All the pupils with unpaid school fees were threatened that they would be suspended from the school.

"We do not expect the headmaster and the other staff members to treat children in such a manner. The issue of unpaid fees should be addressed with parents and not children. If they summon children and threaten them do they expect them to pay the money?" he said.

The school charges $480 for boarding while day pupils pay $250 inclusive of meals at the school. Both boarding and day pupils with unpaid fees are reportedly being denied food.