Wadyajena Pays 101K Exam Fees For 995 Pupils
GOKWE-NEMBUDZIYA legislator Honourable Justice Mayor Wadyajena (Zanu-PF) has paid examination fees for 995 pupils sitting for this year's end of year Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) examinations in his constituency.
The payment was done through the legislator's trucking firm, Mayor Logistics.
According to correspondence between Mayor Logistics and its banker, FBC, a total of $101 151.88 was paid for examination fees for pupils who attend schools in Gokwe Nembudziya constituency.
The donation came at a time when junior parliamentarians here have pleaded with the government to review dexaminations fees arguing that the figure is way beyond the reach of many, especially rural children.
In a letter to FBC signed by Mayor Logistics Managing Director Justice Mayor Wadyajena reads; “O and A level examination fees, Nembudziya constituency schools, kindly debit account with a total of $101,151.88 and transfer to Nembudziya constituency schools as attached schedule”
In response the bank said; “Good day hon Wadyajena, I can confirm that $101,151.88 for “0” and “A” level exam fees for schools in Nembudziya constituency were all processed yesterday.”
Asked on the gesture, the youthful legislator said it was out of the desire to assist families considering they have not done well in the fields owing to climate change.
“It is now up to the pupils themselves and their parents to ensure students apply themselves to achieve desirable results for themselves.
“I do think that the government should look into the plight of teachers. It's not good having classrooms full of students if the teachers are ill-equipped or demotivated. They are the backbone of the education system and looking after them today is investing in generations to come,” said Wadyajena
Wadyajena also indicated that the gesture has nothing to do with politics but the desire to assist those in need also indicating that plans are underway for University Scholarships for those that excel at Advanced level.
“All the students regardless of political affiliation are benefitting from the gesture and it was coordinated by the District Schools Inspector to avoid politicization. In my individual capacity, I commit to paying full fees for “A” -level for the best performing “O” level candidates and will set up a university scholarship fund for those who pass a-level with flying colors”
Speaking to the ZBC, Phylice Mapurisa(42) a villager in Nembudziya applauded the move by the legislator saying it had saved a lot of families unnecessary pressure to raise the money due to the current economic situation.
“Most children in the past were failing to write all their subjects at exam time and settling for a few they could afford to pay, others out of desperation would be abused just to get the money and a decent education. This year, the whole community has been spared of the burden,” she said.
Senator for Gokwe North, Maybe Mbowa commended the move by the youthful legislator saying he had gone beyond politics and brought something more to his constituency regardless of political differences.
“Wadyajena is just someone who came to parliament out of the need to work for the people in his constituency. The move he made did not come as a surprise to me because he is used to doing such things like offering transport to his constituency to ferry maize for farmers, giving exam material to the whole constituency ie pencils, pens, rulers, rubbers and others, he values his constituency more than anything else,” she said.
