BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
About 300 pupils at Chivese Primary School in Marondera on Friday got a reprieve after government reversed the takeover of the school premises by Marondera University of Science and Technology (MUAST).
The higher learning institution last week took over the premises claiming it wanted to build its main campus at the site.
A total of 33 Grade 7 pupils failed to attend lessons for the greater part of last week as the university security details locked out teachers and learners.
The school authorities and parents, however, approached Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Aplonia Munzverengi’s offices to resolve the matter.
She summoned university officials and a resolution was made that learners should attend lessons while a decision was being made on the way forward.
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Provincial education director Annatoria Ncube confirmed that the impasse had been resolved and that normal learning had resumed at the school.
“The situation is now under control. The school resumed teaching and learning on Wednesday. We had a meeting with key stakeholders and a resolution was made for a peaceful co-existence. Officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education met the school development committee and village heads. An agreement was made to the effect that school resumes,” Ncube said.
Chivese Primary School has 288 pupils drawn from the surrounding farming community.
MUAST is set to construct its campus along Bridge Road, about 15km outside Marondera town, a move that will see about 80 resettled farmers being displaced as well.
The university is operating from Dosmerry Farm in Masomera area and using the defunct Cold Storage Company Marondera depot as its temporary campus.
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