Drugs, gangsterism affect Bulawayo pass rate – Minister

Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
EXAMINATION pass rates for Bulawayo schools are now low owing to drugs and substance abuse as well as a culture of gangsterism with a measly two schools making it into the top 100 schools in the country in 2022.

Speaking during a send-off ceremony for slain Founders High School learner, Wayne Ndlovu (16) on Friday, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Bulawayo, Cde Judith Ncube, reprimanded the province for making “bad records” in various areas.

“When we received this message (of the murder), it was painful to digest especially as it is an incident that befell children. What I would like to say to the Province of Bulawayo, we are now famed for setting bad examples. I beg you, learners, I beg you the people of Bulawayo, let people come and borrow a leaf from Bulawayo Province, not to be known for all bad practices. Can you imagine your child carrying a new title of being a murderer. It is painful,” she pleaded.

Cde Ncube said President Mnangagwa has always been concerned about the low pass rate in the province.

“He (President Mnangagwa) is always asking why the pass rate in Bulawayo is going down. We have just about two schools that made it into the top 100, just two. Could it be an issue to do with drugs spoken about by Cde Jabulani Sibanda? (Zanu-PF Bulawayo province chairman). If so, let us avoid being an embarrassment to the nation,” said Cde Ncube.

She encouraged the head of Founders High School to find strength during the difficult moment of losing a pupil in a violent manner.

The pupil was allegedly stabbed by a 17-year-old pupil from neighbouring Hamilton High School last Monday.

The accused has since appeared in court and was remanded in custody to February 27.

It is said the deceased approached the accused and asked him why he had beat up his friend the previous day, and an argument ensued which led to the accused to use an okapi knife to stab the deceased on the neck. He was pronounced dead on admission at the United Bulawayo Hospitals.

“We are grateful for your work, despite it being a tough time. Here is a situation, let us manage it. Revenge has been spoken about and it does not pay. Accept being a fool in some instances. You have set goals you want to achieve and make sure those that try to derail you do not fight with your goals. Bad company is not good to keep,” she said.

Cde  Sibanda, Zanu-PF chairman for Bulawayo Province who was present at the funeral said future leaders have been affected by social-ills like drug abuse.

“Drugs are infiltrating the country from outside and nothing is being done about it, some are even manufactured locally. Let us protect the children from drugs. Drug lords are found near schools and find their way to learners.

“I was at Mzilikazi High School when a parent of a child who sells drugs at the school was called and he refused to come to the school saying his child was free to do what he wanted. But then, how do we protect our children from a parent who allows his child to destroy other children at the school?” he asked.

Cde Sibanda said School Development Associations need to have serious conversations and find ways to protect learners in school.

“If a child is allowed by his parents to do wrong, we cannot sit and watch him while we lose other learners. Mr Ndlovu (Wayne’s father) worked hard to send his child to school, Mrs Ndlovu carried him for nine months in her womb and we cannot allow another person to just move in and take away his life just like that,” he said.

Cde Sibanda encouraged learners to report those selling drugs and to also report fellow learners who are purchasing the drugs.

Cde Sibanda also said the father of the alleged killer must take heart as it was not his wish for his son to take another person’s life, but encouraged parents to be cautious of what their children do when they are at home.

He also said learners and teachers from Hamilton High School must not carry the guilt over what their colleague did, but must carry the resolve that drugs and violence will not be allowed in schools. -@NyembeziMu