Maravi

(HERALD) Chaos persists at city school

Chaos persists at city school
Saturday, 23 July 2011 02:00
By Felex Share

CHAOS persisted at Cold Comfort Primary School in Harare yesterday as Herentals College defied a Government order to vacate the premises. Government on Thursday ordered Herentals College to leave the premises with immediate effect, saying the college did not have a licence to operate at the place. But, Herentals officials did not take heed. They reportedly hired more bouncers to block anyone from evicting them.

Cold Comfort School Development Association committee member Mr Simon Manjengwa said they reported the matter at Kuwadzana Police Station.

"After the Government order, we thought all was now well, but as usual they brought more bouncers to block anyone from interfering with their operations. We had to seek the services of police from Kuwadzana, but they came and left without doing anything," he said.

"The norm then continued with lessons being held concurrently. We don't know who is going to help us since Government is the highest authority."

When The Herald visited the school yesterday, Herentals College billboards were still intact and their furniture was still in the classrooms.

In granting the order, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart said investigations by the Government had established that Herentals College "cannot and should not operate at the site."

Minister Coltart said in terms of the Education Act 2006, as amended, individuals should not establish and maintain a school unless it is registered and anybody who contravenes this provision shall be guilty of an offence.

"My ministry's attention has been drawn to some disturbances, which took place at Cold Comfort School at the beginning of this 2nd term. Upon a visit and investigations by Government officials to the school, it was established that Herentals College does not have a licence to operate at this site.

"Herentals should therefore cease its operations there with immediate effect," he said.

Minister Coltart said a non-Government school should not be operated on any premises other than premises specified in the Certificate of Registration.

"In terms of the same Act (Education Act 2006), no person shall establish, operate or maintain an independent college unless such a college is registered in terms of this Act. It should be noted that such independent colleges may offer tuition only to students who have completed the prescribed period in primary education, or who have attained the age of 16 years, whichever is earlier," he said.

However, a Herentals College official who declined to be named yesterday said no communication had been received from the college management and they continued with lessons yesterday.

"Nothing has been communicated to us by management and as workers, we will continue with business as usual," he said.

Herentals College has been embroiled in an ownership wrangle with Release Power Investments, a local company that runs Cold Comfort Primary School.

The wrangle has been disrupting lessons at Cold Comfort School since the beginning of this term, leaving over 700 pupils stranded.

Clashes between parents and Herentals College officials had become common.

Herentals College had taken charge of the school on the strength of a High Court order obtained two months ago.

During that wrangle, it was established that the warring parties held two title deeds to the property at the centre of the dispute .

Labels: DAVID COLTART, EDUCATION, MDC

posted by MrK @ 10:31 PM