BY SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO.
Teachers at Chehudo Primary School in Chief Nyajena’s area in Masvingo, are facing mounting allegations of misconduct from concerned parents, who claim that the school’s educators, along with the headmaster, are engaging in frequent late-night drinking binges. According to the parents, the teachers habitually leave the school for a nearby township, returning at dawn inebriated and unfit to teach.
Outraged parents have reported that this behavior has led to widespread absenteeism in the classroom, with educators spending the day drowsing at their desks, leaving students without proper instruction. The parents allege that there is a sharp decline in the school’s academic performance, with the pass rate dropping drastically over the past years.
One parent, who requested anonymity, described the situation: “The teachers disappear every evening to the township. They come back early in the morning, too drunk to stand straight. There’s no learning happening, and our children are suffering.”
The headmaster, Simbabrashe Maramba, who is accused of leading these drinking escapades, has not responded to the complaints. Efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
Masvingo Provincial Education Director (PED), Shylet Mhike, has promised to launch a full investigation into the allegations. “This is a serious matter, and we will not tolerate such behavior from any of our staff members. The education of our children is a top priority, and I assure the parents that we will look into this case as a matter of urgency,” Mhike said in a statement.
Parents are demanding immediate action and are calling for accountability. “Our children’s future is at stake. We cannot sit by while their education is being destroyed,” said another parent.
If the allegations are proven true, disciplinary measures are expected to be taken, with some parents already calling for the dismissal of the teachers involved. In the meantime, the community remains anxious, awaiting the outcome of the investigation and hoping for swift intervention to restore order and learning at Chehudo Primary School.