A SCHOOL project coffin, crafted over seven years ago, has become a disturbing feature at Lukhanyiso Primary School in Bulawayo, sparking widespread concern among residents who fear its presence is creating an unhealthy and uncultural environment for learners.
Mpopoma ward 9 councillor Donaldson Mabutho raised alarm yesterday saying it was improper for young learners to be exposed to a coffin at school.
“I had received information from a concerned resident that there was a coffin in one of the classrooms at Lukhanyiso and I went there to witness it for myself. I heard it was done several years ago by one of the teachers,” he said.
“According to our culture and tradition, it is a bad omen for children to be exposed to such a sensitive thing. It will have a psychological effect on them.”
Mabuto also said it was immoral to expose children to a coffin because it was associated with bad omen.
He said he had engaged the headmaster to urgently convene a parents meeting for a way forward on how to get rid of it.
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Lukhanyiso Primary School head Aaron Mhango confirmed that the coffin was part of a school income-generating project.
“I was not there when the coffin was made. Unfortunately, the headmaster who was in position during that time retired and later passed away,” Mhango said.
“I also engaged with the school committee as to why they did not dispose of it.”
One of the school development committee (SDC) members said investigations revealed that the coffin was made in 2018.
“I started working for the school committee recently and when I found out about the coffin, I did further investigations, which revealed that it was made in 2018,” the SDC member said.
“I was told to organise a buyer for the coffin, but I was scared about the circumstances on why it was made in the first place (sic). Coffins are usually associated with rituals and Satanism.”
Meanwhile, former SDC chairperson, Phethangani Nyoni, refused to comment saying he was not part of the school administration.
Bulawayo provincial education director Bernard Mazambane said he was not aware of the coffin at Lukhanyiso, adding that if he knew he would have helped the school to dispose of it.