BUSINESS came to a standstill at schools in Chikomba district, Mashonaland East province, yesterday after teachers and learners were ordered to attend an event hosted by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa was conducting a feeding programme for pupils from early childhood development (ECD) to Grade 4 at an event held at Hokonya Primary School.
Ironically, school authorities instructed students to bring their own food to prevent hunger before the First Lady’s meals were served.
School pupils were directed to arrive at the venue as early as 6am and wait for Mnangagwa.
Learners and teachers were bussed from various schools across the district to attend the event.
Part of the communiqué seen by NewsDay read: “Teachers let’s spread this message. Pupils are required to be at school by 6am. We are going to Hokonya to meet our mother, Mai Mnangagwa. Each child should bring a plate and 500ml of water.
“They must also carry food so that they will not be starved by the time the First Lady’s food is served.
“Learners are to be dressed in tracksuits, but prefects should be in normal school uniforms.”
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In another communiqué, school authorities said buses had been provided to ferry pupils to the event.
“The following primary schools are all expected to bring all their ECD A-Grade 4 pupils to Hokonya. All pupils are to be in full school uniform,” it read.
“They should also bring a plate. Nhidza, Masunda, Mutemachani, Mudonzvo, Madondo, Madzivire, Badza, Simukai, Chivese, Range, Guvakuva, Chivhu, Northwood and Runyararo. There will be buses to ferry pupils from the schools by 6am.”
Some parents and guardians, however, expressed disgruntlement over the disruption of lessons.
“What is the benefit of disrupting learning for a single meal when the pupils do not even know what they will have for dinner,” a parent posted in a school WhatsApp group.
“There is a need for a concrete long-term solution to avail food for all children in the face of this drought.”
Government rolled out a school-feeding programme when schools opened for the third term in response to the drought that has left millions facing starvation.
