Whirlwind blows classes during exams
PANIC gripped A-level candidates at Mbizo High School in Kwekwe last week as they had to scurry for cover when the roof of the classroom they were in while writing a Zimsec exam was blown off by a fierce whirlwind.
Although the school head, Mr Jim Mpalale said there were no injuries, investigations by this reporter revealed that some pupils escaped with minor injuries.
A pupil who spoke to this reporter said question papers and answer sheets were blown away by the strong winds and they had to be shifted to another class for completion of the exam.
“We were writing English Language and Communication Skills when the whirlwind came and blew off the roof and blew away all our question papers and answer sheets,” said the student on condition of anonymity.
She said it took the school authorities close to 30 minutes for them to gather the question papers and answer sheets and convince the panic stricken candidates to gather them into another room for the continuation of the exam.
Mr Jim Mpalale, the school head confirmed the incident but thwarted fears that there might be pupils who might have been injured.
“Nothing happened to the pupils, everyone escaped unscathed as pupils were quickly transferred to another room for contiunuation of the exam,” said Mpalale.
He also said $2 500 worth of property was destroyed by the whirlwind which also destroyed the school fence when a tree fell near the school boundary.
Provincial Education Officer Mrs Agness Gudo could be reached for comment.