BULAWAYO ward 9 councillor Donaldson Mabuto has ordered the immediate removal of a coffin from Lukhanyiso Primary School following an outcry from residents over its presence at the school.
The coffin was reportedly made by a teacher in 2018 as part of a woodwork income-generating project for the school, according to school authorities.
Mabuto yesterday said he summoned the parties concerned and instructed them to immediately remove the coffin from the school.
“I summoned the parties concerned, which include residents, residents associations and the school authorities to remove the coffin. I also gave them money for fuel which was meant to help in disposing of it and action has been taken,” he said.
School head Aaron Mhango also confirmed the removal of the coffin from the school.
“The coffin has been removed by the chairperson of the School Development Committee and they have found a buyer for it,” he said.
The coffin’s removal came after Mabuto and residents raised alarm 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.
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“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.
Meanwhile, residents are still outraged over the long presence of the coffin at the learning institution.
“There should have been a proper and open explanation on its six years of existence. If it was an education project, why sneak it away? Why didn’t they have the district schools inspector back up the project,” a resident said.
