Mentally ill teacher remains at school despite safety concerns

Tensions are mounting in Nyahombe, Chivi District, as a mentally ill teacher at Nyahombe Secondary School continues to remain in his post despite months of complaints from parents who fear for the safety of their children and the wider community.

Almost seven months have passed since parents first raised alarm over the teacher's erratic and disturbing behavior. However, no definitive action has been taken by the authorities, prompting growing frustration and accusations of negligence from education officials.

Parents say the teacher, who is stationed at the school in Ward 29 of Chivi, poses a daily threat to students and locals alike. They allege he exhibits violent tendencies, regularly provokes learners, and has been seen loitering around areas where women bathe - raising fears of potential sexual offenses.

"We are afraid that one day he will attack and injure a learner," said one concerned parent. "He is often seen in places where women bathe, and his behavior is getting worse. He also wanders around acting like an apostolic prophet, frightening the community."

Contacted by TellZim News, Chivi District Schools Inspector (DSI) Evershine Ndongwe previously stated that the teacher's case had been referred to the Public Service Commission for further handling. However, when asked for an update recently, Ndongwe revealed that the plan was now to transfer the teacher to a school near Chivi Mission Hospital to be closer to medical support - though no suitable vacancy has yet been found.

"We intend to place him closer to Chivi Hospital," said Ndongwe. "With medication, he becomes stable enough that you wouldn't even notice anything is wrong. But he separated from his wife and now lives alone. If he had a relative to monitor his treatment, it would help a lot."

Despite this explanation, parents believe the delays in removing the teacher from Nyahombe may be due to protection from someone influential within the district office. They allege that he is related to an official who is shielding him from being retired or reassigned.

Contacted for comment, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Director of Communications and Advocacy, Taungana Ndoro, said he would look into the issue.

Meanwhile, the community continues to live in anxiety. Parents fear the teacher's instability could lead to violence or a tragic incident involving one of their children. Some have even expressed concern that learners might be provoked to retaliate, potentially escalating the situation further.

"He likes provoking the children," said another parent. "We fear one day a student will snap and injure him. If the government doesn't have the resources to retire him officially, they can still pay him to stay home. We just want him out of the school and away from our children."

With no clear resolution in sight, pressure is mounting on education authorities to act swiftly before the situation spirals out of control.