Headmaster turns uniform into gold mine

A storm is brewing at Munyoro Secondary School in Mutare District after the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct against the school's headmaster, Gayford Duru.

Duru is accused of unilaterally changing the school uniform and allegedly monopolising the sale of the new fabric at inflated prices, forcing parents to purchase it directly from him.

The allegations have sparked outrage among parents and community members, who accuse the school head of abusing his position for personal gain.

He is also facing accusations of misusing school property after claims emerged that a school-owned kombi was used to transport bricks for a private construction project.

Confirming the investigation, Manicaland Provincial Chief Director of Primary and Secondary Education, Richard Gabaza, said the ministry was treating the allegations seriously.

"It is against the principles of sound school governance, which epitomise a high sense of responsibility, accountability, integrity, transparency and sustainable community engagement," Gabaza said.

In a report submitted to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, parents alleged that standards at the school have deteriorated significantly since Duru's appointment.

According to the report, the headmaster introduced a compulsory change to the school uniform without consulting parents or other stakeholders.

Parents claim the specific fabric required for the new uniform is not available from independent retailers, leaving them with no option but to purchase it directly from the headmaster at what they describe as excessive prices.

"The headmaster recently and unilaterally introduced a mandatory change to the long-standing school uniform. This policy was entirely unnecessary and has heavily burdened the local community," part of the report states.

Parents further alleged that children risk exclusion from classes if they fail to comply with the new uniform requirements.

The report also questions the procurement of a commuter omnibus despite the school already owning what parents describe as a fully operational bus capable of meeting transport needs.

According to the allegations, the kombi is rarely used for school activities and instead serves as the headmaster's personal vehicle.

Community members claim to possess video evidence showing the vehicle transporting bricks for Duru's private construction project.

Parents also raised concerns over increasing school expenses, alleging that operating costs, levies and other charges have risen sharply without corresponding improvements in infrastructure, learning materials or student welfare.

"Despite these high financial demands on parents, there has been zero visible development in school infrastructure, classroom learning materials, or student welfare," the report states.

Additional allegations include chronic absenteeism by the headmaster, which parents claim has contributed to declining discipline, increased truancy and a breakdown in administrative oversight.

The report further alleges that the school has experienced a surge in thefts and robberies, with the headmaster accused of failing to report incidents to the Zimbabwe Republic Police or the ministry.

Parents argue that the failure to involve law enforcement has raised concerns within the community and undermined confidence in the school's leadership.

In response, the community has called on the ministry to conduct a forensic audit of the school's finances, uniform sales and the procurement process surrounding the commuter omnibus.

They have also requested an immediate suspension of the mandatory uniform policy and the appointment of an interim administration while investigations are underway.

The ministry is understood to have dispatched an audit team to conduct a fact-finding exercise.

Efforts to obtain comment from Duru were unsuccessful at the time of publication, as calls and messages sent to his mobile phone reportedly went unanswered.

The investigation is expected to determine whether the allegations amount to misconduct and whether disciplinary or other action is warranted.