Errymaple Private Junior School Accused of Manipulating Pass Rates
“I am not happy with the whole issue. I paid a lot of money since the child was in Grade 1, but to my surprise, his certificate is now written a different school" - A parent
Errymaple Junior School, a private school in Zvishavane is accused of shunting less intellectually-gifted pupils to Boromokwa primary school which is just at the periphery of the town so that it can maintain a 100 percent pass rate.
A parent who requested anonymity for fear of victimization said his child was forced to write his exams at a remote school yet he was paying US$400 and additional groceries.
“I am not happy with the whole issue. I paid a lot of money since the child was in Grade 1, but to my surprise, his certificate is now written a different school.
”There is a certain snob appeal associated with the private school which was removed because the school wants to portray a wrong image of what they do at their school.
“The school has to sharpen those blunt minds. That’s why I preferred a private and paid a lot of money but the whole purpose is defeated if the child is forced to be part of a school he has never been part of since Grade 1.”
The director of Errymaple Junior School, Ashell Ruswa, confirmed that some pupils from her school wrote their Grade 7 exams at Boromokwa, but said as a school they would have assessed and concluded that the candidates were not ready to sit for the exam. Ruswa said:
“There is nothing wrong with that. Even if you check with the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) they will tell you the same, so I don’t think it’s a big issue.”
Boromokwa Primary School head, Tinashe Mago admitted that Errymaple pupils wrote exams at his school, but went on to say he only knew about it after they had finished writing. Mago is also a Zanu PF councillor for Ward 5 in Zvishavane Town council. Magi said:
“Yes, they sat for their exams at my school in 2021, but I didn’t know they were from Errymaple. You can ask my bosses if you want further clarity.”
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson continually dropped the calls when reached for comment.
ZIMSEC spokesperson, Nicky Dhlamini could not be reached for comment as her mobile was not reachable.
