Teachers embark on in-class extra lessons

SOME teachers who are reporting for duty in Manicaland’s public schools are now charging a dollar a day for afternoon extra lessons that are being conducted in the classrooms.

A survey conducted by The Manica Post at various schools in Mutare, Chipinge and Rusape revealed that teacher attendance has generally improved since Monday, with some schools conducting normal lessons.

However, this newspaper also discovered that teachers in some remote areas of the province, where supervision from district and provincial authorities is minimal, have not been reporting for duty since schools re-opened.

For those reporting for duty in urban areas, especially in primary schools, students are being asked to bring a dollar every day for afternoon in-class extra lessons.

Students have since revealed that most of the implicated teachers only get down to serious teaching business with those who would have paid the money.

While the dollar a day in-class extra lessons are well pronounced in primary schools, secondary school teachers are providing extra lessons at home at an average weekly fee of US$2,50 per student in each subject.

Acting Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Richard Gabaza said teachers’ attendance has greatly improved across the province, with some schools recording 100 percent attendance.

“Generally, teacher attendance has greatly improved since the start of the week. We will continue monitoring the situation on the ground as we do not want the students to be disadvantaged,” said Mr Gabaza.

He, however, said his department is yet to get formal reports of extra lessons being conducted at schools.

“We have not yet received reports of extra lessons being conducted by the teachers. It is a cause for concern if indeed it is happening. We will to get on the ground and investigate that.

“It is unacceptable and once the culprits are caught, they will certainly face the music. We strongly discourage overburdening our parents and guardians by making them pay extra money on top of what is charged by the school,” said Mr Gabaza