Parents with children at Simana Secondary School in Silobela have raised concerns about the involvement of their children in prayer sessions outside the school premises without their knowledge.
According to the parents who spoke to CITE, some learners, especially girls, often faint under unclear circumstances. They accused the headmaster of allowing the children to partake in the sessions which they said were conducted in the bush without their consent.
“There is a prophet from the community and other prophets who are allowed to take the learners around 1 pm for prayer sessions outside the school premises in the bush, how can the headmaster do this without the approval of the parents? We have called for this practice to stop but it’s continuing, worse it is only the girls who attend these prayer sessions,” said one parent.
He said at some point, parents were told to contribute US$150 for the school to bring in some prophets to pray for the children.
“He first called some local guys who call themselves prophets and they got a few Form 4 girls without the consent of their parents and they prayed for them in the bush, the head will also be there,” said the parent.
“These children miss their afternoon lessons due to these prayers. In the midst of that, some girls are in that group who are now constantly fainting and they seem to be manifesting things but I think it will be staged”.
Another parent said although the District Schools Inspector is aware of this matter, he has done nothing about it.
Ward 20 Councillor Maqhawe Moyo, confirmed that he is aware of the matter.
“There is a reason why they are conducting prayers, children are fainting at the school, it is mostly girls so they are trying to look for help. According to the Head, it only affects seven girls. There was once a prayer conducted by the 12 Apostle Church some time back, this is not the first time they are experiencing this,” said Clr Moyo.
He said as a councillor he has also conducted prayers at the school but was beaten for doing that.
“As a councillor, I have been beaten because of this issue of praying at the school for the learners. At some point the learners manifested during the prayer session, it’s like they were demon-possessed and they identified one of the teachers as the culprit of their predicament and constant fainting.”
Meanwhile, Headman Simana referred the reporter to the headmaster of the school.
“Ask Ruhwaya the headmaster of the school, he is the one who can assist you,” he said.
Meanwhile, Headman Dlodlo said the matter is set to head in Chief Sigodo’s court.
Efforts to get a comment from the Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Taungana Ndoro, as he said he was still investigating the matter.
