by Yollander Millin
George Silundika High school is a Zimbabwe Foundation for Education with Production (ZIMFEP) school located in Nyamandlovu. On the 17th of February 2024, the school administration called an emergency meeting where the parents and guardians were told that the school had been robbed of the cash money that had been kept in the school safe box.
Anomalies were picked up by the parents as they discovered that the issue had been mentioned in the Chronicle newspaper dated 11 January 2024, a month after the incident had occurred. The school had also, prior to the meeting of the 17th asked for food donations from the parents, in bulk and not just for their children. This was found to be odd as the school had always said the school and the children have food in excess.
While the Chronicle reported that a little over US$17 000 had been stolen, and the Herald had reported the amount to be US$17800 some of the school staff divulged that the true amount that had been taken was an excess of US$40 000. The “robber” was the school security guard and he had admitted to taking only $5,000. This leaves the larger sum unaccounted for.
This revelation sent shockwaves through the community as questions arose regarding the security and financial practices at George Silundika High School and amidst the chaos, suspicions started to mount towards the school administration, particularly due to their preferred silence on the matter.
Despite being directly implicated in the missing funds, the administration has refrained from making any official comments, further fueling speculation and mistrust among the parents and guardians of the students attending the school. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the sudden acquisition of land by the school administration, raising eyebrows about the potential misuse of funds and resources. Further speculation arose as the school lowered their fees from US$ 700 to US$ 580.
The parents, already disillusioned by the lack of transparency and accountability, have expressed their lack of faith in the administration and their ability to manage the affairs of the school responsibly. In the past two years, the then headmaster had used school funds to purchase his own vehicle and this led to the parents being ever on high alert.
As investigations continue and the truth behind the missing funds at George Silundika High School unravels, one thing remains clear there is need for greater oversight, accountability, and integrity within the school’s leadership. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of sound financial practices and ethical conduct in educational institutions, especially when entrusted with the well-being and education of the students.
Ultimately, the scandal at George Silundika High School serves as a wake-up call for the entire community, urging them to demand transparency, honesty, and ethical behavior from those in positions of authority. Only through accountability and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of conduct can the trust and reputation of the school be restored in the eyes of all stakeholders involved.
