Teachers warned against abuse of school funds

GOVERNMENT has warned teachers against abusing school funds and improperly associating with learners, as they risk losing their jobs.

Provincial education director for Manicaland Mr Edward Shumba issued the warning at a provincial merit awards ceremony held last Friday at Mutare Boys’ High School.

Mr Shumba said: “When you see school money, do not mix it with yours; separate the two,” he said. “Spend your own money and no matter how reckless, I will not come after you. I will not hesitate to fire those who abuse school funds for their own benefit.

“Fail to account for one cent and you will feel the wrath of the ministry and indeed we will say ‘goodbye’ to you in a very cruel manner.”

Mr Shumba said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education had been dogged by acts of misconduct by “our teachers”.

“Cases of improper association, financial mismanagement have been getting the better of us,” he said. “However, the province has seen it fit to go on a massive staff development programme.

“The hope is that teachers who have ears to hear and will take heed. Then more effort will be spent on productive work.”

Mr Shumba appealed to teachers dating learners to “stop it”, as the children were the future of the country and dating them was ruining their tomorrow.

“I want to advise teachers that when you see a young muscular boy or a very beautiful girl among your learners and you think they are potential lovers, then you are in the wrong place,” he said.

“Leave us alone and leave in peace because these learners are the future that Zimbabwe has to develop. They have to be nurtured into useful citizens, so I urge you to leave my children alone. Let them learn, you have had your chance.”

Mr Shumba appealed to teachers to use schools as places of learning and not centres for settling scores from outside, courting negative media attention.

“Our major problem has been the use of schools to settle scores from outside indeed we have gained space in the media for the wrong reasons and we want perhaps to get to a stage where things can be corrected,” he said.

Mr Shumba acknowledged that despite these imperfections, the bulk of teachers were a qualified and a dedicated lot.