School readmits pupils after mass expulsions

Mother Patrick Convent Primary School in Mainway Meadows, Harare, has started the process of re-enrolling students it previously expelled for allegedly disrupting lessons. The decision comes after widespread outrage from parents and guardians over the expulsions, which were sparked by protests against the expulsion of fellow pupils.

The school began re-admitting the affected pupils on Friday, December 6, 2024, after a formal announcement was made in a letter signed by the acting head, Eugenia Muketiwa. The letter informed parents and guardians that the school would undertake a re-application process for all learners who had been removed due to absenteeism.

"Dear valued parents and guardians, we write to inform you that after being withdrawn from the school system due to absenteeism, the school is undertaking a re-application process for all learners on Friday December 6, 2024, at 10 am," the letter stated. The letter also mentioned that end-of-year report cards would be issued on the same day.

As part of the re-enrollment process, parents were instructed to submit new application forms and pay a US$5 admission fee, which would be used for the school to review each application and assess the students' eligibility. The completed forms had to be submitted by December 13, 2024, for the re-enrolment process to continue.

The expulsions were initially prompted by a teachers' strike that began on November 19, 2024, due to complaints over poor working conditions and unpaid salaries and bonuses. The strike led to widespread absenteeism, with some students withdrawing from school in solidarity, which ultimately triggered the expulsions. A total of 500 students were threatened with expulsion for their involvement in protesting the expulsions of their classmates.

However, the re-enrollment process has not been without controversy. Several parents have expressed concerns over the school's handling of the situation, with some questioning the fairness of the expulsions and the admission fees being charged.

"The fees they charge are not commensurate with the service they are discharging," said one parent, who asked to remain anonymous. "We have even started seeing government schools posting better results than them."

In response to the growing tensions, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has scheduled a meeting with the MPCS board, school administration, school development committee, and parents. The meeting, which will take place tomorrow at the ministry's offices, aims to address the issues surrounding the expulsions and find a resolution to the ongoing conflict at the school.

Taungana Ndoro, the ministry's spokesperson, confirmed the meeting and emphasized the importance of resolving the impasse. "We hope to address the concerns of both parents and the school administration to ensure that a fair and peaceful resolution is reached," Ndoro said.

The situation remains fluid as the re-enrollment process unfolds, and many parents are hopeful that the school's decision to allow students back will restore order and address the ongoing tensions within the school community.