Harare Correspondent
HARARE – Mother Patrick Convent Primary School in Mainway Meadows has initiated the re-enrollment of students after facing backlash for expelling a significant number of pupils for allegedly disrupting lessons.
The school announced on Friday that it would begin readmitting the affected students, a move welcomed by parents and guardians.
The situation escalated when the school threatened to expel 500 students who protested against the expulsion of their peers.
In a letter dated December 5, 2024, signed by the acting head, Eugenia Muketiwa, parents were informed about the re-application process for all learners.
“Dear valued parents and guardians, we write to inform you that after being withdrawn from the school system due to absenteeism, the school is undertaking a re-application process for all learners on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 10 am,” the letter stated.
The letter also indicated that end-of-year report cards would be issued on the same day. Muketiwa explained that the re-enrollment process would require parents to pay an admission fee of US$5 to review their children’s applications.
“If you wish to re-enrol, you will be asked to submit a new application form which will be issued to you for an admission fee of US$5,” she noted.
Parents were given a deadline of December 13 to complete their application forms for re-enrollment. This decision is viewed as an attempt by the school authorities to mitigate the controversy surrounding the mass expulsions.
The turmoil at the school began following a teachers’ strike that started on November 19, 2024, due to alleged poor working conditions and unpaid salaries and bonuses. The strike led to the withdrawal of students, prompting the school to expel those involved.
However, some parents have expressed skepticism regarding the re-enrollment process, raising concerns about the school’s management of the issue.
“The fees they charge are not commensurate with the service they are discharging,” one parent, who wished to remain anonymous, stated.
“We have even started seeing government schools posting better results than them.”
In response to the unrest, Taungana Ndoro, spokesperson for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, announced that a meeting would be held with the MPCS board, administration, school development committee, and parents.
“The meeting, scheduled for tomorrow at the ministry offices, will seek to address and resolve the current impasse that has been affecting the Mother Patrick School community,” Ndoro said.
As the school navigates this complex situation, the re-enrollment process marks a significant step in addressing the concerns of both students and their families.
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