School forced to release withheld “O” Level results

By Jeffrey Muvundusi

BULAWAYO – A High school here has been forced to release “O” Level results withheld for two students whose school fees and levies were in arrears.

Townsend Girls High authorities buckled under pressure from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, and released the results of Tanaka Ngwasha and Takudzwa Ngwasha.

The two students were in the 2013 and 2014 “O” Level classes respectively.

Townsend High School headmistress Millicent Moyo wrote to the ZLHR on February 9 stating that the school was releasing the results.

“Reference is made on the issue of withheld “O” Level certificates for Tanaka and Takudzwa Ngwasha.

“Please advise your clients to collect their certificates from the bursar’s office any time between 2pm and 4pm from Monday to Friday,” Moyo said.

The letter followed a challenge from ZLHR lawyer Lizwe Jamela who outlined the illegalities associated with such an act.

“We would like to state that issues relating to a child’s school fees are a responsibility of their parents or guardians and children are separate individuals who should not be caught in between any disputes between the guardians and the school.

“The examination certificates in question belong to the children and not the guardians,” Jamela said.

He further stated that the decision by the school to withhold the certificates saw the two failing to enrol at any tertiary education institution of their choice.

Jamela urged the school authorities to pursue legal means instead of punishing the innocent pupils.

“We have been instructed to demand from you as we hereby do that you release within seven days of this letter, the “O” Level certificates of Tanaka Ngwasha and Takudzwa Ngwasha as you have no legal basis to withhold same,” Jamela said. Daily News