By Flata Kavinga
The City of Kwekwe has resolved to take over the full management of its five council-run primary schools, a move Mayor Councillor Albert Zinhanga says is aimed at improving financial accountability and administrative oversight.
Speaking to journalists shortly after a full council meeting, Zinhanga confirmed that council had adopted a resolution to assume direct control of the schools’ operations. He said the decision was informed by challenges in accessing timely financial and operational reports from the institutions.
“Currently, we were running these schools but most of the operations were being handled by headmasters and School Development Committees. We experienced challenges in getting documentation on time,” Zinhanga said. “If a council school is operating, its financial matters affect the council budget. Without qualified reports feeding into the budget, we have problems when it comes to audits.”
He said council often struggled to obtain necessary documentation, which affected its ability to compile audited financial statements.
Under the new arrangement, council will appoint bursars who will be placed on the local authority’s payroll and tasked with submitting regular financial reports to the Finance Department. Zinhanga said this would ensure improved monitoring of public funds, including levies paid by parents.
Council will also take control of school assets, including vehicles and other property. Zinhanga said this follows a benchmarking visit to the City of Masvingo, where council-run schools operate under direct local authority supervision.
“In Masvingo, all school properties are registered under council. The council authorises the use of assets such as buses. We are trying to protect and control funds paid by parents so that they can see how those funds are used,” he said.
Zinhanga clarified that the employment contracts of current headmasters have not been terminated. However, council will, in consultation with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, re-advertise the posts and conduct a recruitment process in which it will participate.
“If the current headmasters are successful, they will remain. If council identifies other suitable candidates, the affected headmasters will be handed over to the Ministry for redeployment,” he said.
The five affected schools are Dambudzo, Chana A, Chana B, Tasungana and Tashinga primary schools.
Zinhanga said council also intends to reduce overreliance on parental levies by exploring income-generating projects, citing examples observed in Masvingo where council schools operate poultry and rabbit projects to supplement revenue.
“In the past, council schools were known to be affordable. A council school should not be more expensive than a government school,” he said.
He added that council schools will participate in upcoming inter-cities competitions to strengthen their identity and visibility.
Zinhanga said the takeover became effective following the adoption and signing of full council minutes. “A resolution of council becomes law. As we speak now, we are taking over the schools,” he said.
