Political Reporter
A recent event hosted by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa in Chikomba district, Mashonaland East province, has sparked controversy after it disrupted learning at local schools. The event, a feeding program for pupils from early childhood development (ECD) to Grade 4, was held at Hokonya Primary School, with learners and teachers bussed in from various schools across the district.
School authorities instructed students to arrive at the venue as early as 6am and bring their own food to prevent hunger before the First Lady’s meals were served. The irony of this instruction was not lost on some parents and guardians, who expressed disgruntlement over the disruption of lessons.
Event Details
- Learners were required to bring a plate and 500ml of water
- Learners were to be dressed in tracksuits, while prefects wore normal school uniforms
- Buses were provided to ferry pupils from schools to the event.
Parental Concerns
One parent posted in a school WhatsApp group, “What is the benefit of disrupting learning for a single meal when the pupils do not even know what they will have for dinner?”
Another concern raised was the need for a concrete long-term solution to provide food for all children, especially in the face of the ongoing drought.
Government Response
In response to the drought that has left millions facing starvation, the government rolled out a school-feeding program when schools opened for the third term.
It’s clear that while the First Lady’s intentions may have been good, the execution of the event has raised questions about the impact on learning and the need for sustainable solutions to address food insecurity.
Zim GBC News©2024