Parents Shut Down School Over Headmistress’ Solar-Powered Borehole, WiFi

A group of parents locked down Boora Primary School in Ward 17, Bikita, on 12 May and sent pupils home during a protest calling for the removal of school head Tsitsi Fusirai. They accuse her of making unilateral decisions.

Others say Fusirai has been transforming the school and claim the protest was orchestrated by opposition councillors and driven by a small group of parents opposed to modern development projects.

The main dispute is over a solar-powered borehole Fusirai installed inside the school grounds. Parents wanted a bush pump drilled outside the premises, arguing that there is more water there.

The solar borehole also powers classrooms and WiFi, but parents say it produces little water.

Fusirai confirmed the closure to TellZim News but declined to give further details, saying she was not allowed to speak to the media. She referred all enquiries to District School Inspector  (DSI)James Mahofa.

“What you heard is true. Parents closed the school and chased learners away. If you want more information, contact the DSI because we are not allowed to speak to the media,” she said.

Tensions reportedly escalated until Chief Budzi arrived with the police. Twenty-one parents who staged the demonstration and locked the school gate were arrested.

Masvingo Provincial Police Deputy Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Masauso Patinyu referred questions to national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, whose phone went unanswered.

Chief Budzi, born Herbert Chimene, confirmed the incident to TellZim News and said he found the school gate locked and the children gone.

“I was called by the head and was equally shocked because I had never heard of the parents’ complaints. I went there with the police, who arrested the demonstrators. They claimed they had a petition, but they refused to share a copy with me. Maybe they gave it to the police. So I am not sure of their concerns,” he said.

TellZim News reported that sources claim the protest was orchestrated by opposition councillors. Both the ward councillor and the women’s quota councillor are accused of seeking direct control of the school.

Ward 17 Councillor Decent Chikunya denied involvement but confirmed he was at Bikita Police Station monitoring the matter.

He said parents were calling for the head’s removal, alleging she acted alone and forced the School Development Committee (SDC) to sign blank withdrawal slips.

“Parents say she is abusing funds. She also drilled a solar-powered borehole against their will,” Chikunya said.

SDC chairperson Revai Polite Simbo rejected the claims, saying all decisions had the support of the SDC and parents.

“We never signed any blank slip. All withdrawals are approved by the finance committee, and every meeting is minuted. We are confident that even private auditors would find everything above board,” Simbo said.

Simbo said the borehole decision was agreed. “Yes, the borehole yields less water, but we chose to solarise it so learners have water without the problems of bush pumps. We also used the solar system to electrify classrooms and install WiFi. The capacity is enough to power the borehole too. We did not buy equipment for the borehole alone,” she said.

Other sources said the women’s quota councillor once claimed to have dissolved the SDC, but the move was reversed after council and education officials intervened.

“The councillors want control of the school, but only the elected councillor is an ex officio committee member. The PR councillor has no jurisdiction at the school,” a source said.