daniel chigunwe
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
Government is making efforts to resolve a standoff between Knowstics Academy and the British Council Zimbabwe, which has left over 40 students in limbo after their Cambridge Ordinary Level results were withheld over non-remittance of US$41 272 in examination fees by the school’s former management.
With Lower Sixth classes set to start lessons on Monday next week, there are concerns that learners who sat for their O-Level Cambridge examinations last year may be disadvantaged since they have not obtained their results.
In an interview, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Torerayi Moyo said they had moved in to try and bail out the learners.
“At the moment, I am in contact with the judicial manager because the school was placed under judicial management after they filed for insolvency,” he said.
“I have dispatched my officials to the school to talk to the judicial manager and also to talk to directors of the school.
“We also needed to engage the British Council and they came to my office two days ago and they were saying that they can release the results only if the directors of the school have paid. However, that disadvantages our students.”
Minister Moyo promised to provide more information today regarding the way forward.
The Knowstics Academy O-Level candidates had reportedly registered for an average of 10 subjects, with each science subject costing US$136 and other subjects being charged US$122 each.
The results scandal comes barely a month after Knowstics Academy was placed under corporate rescue in a bid to revamp its operations and restore its reputation.
While the school is expecting the results to be released before Monday, the British Council of Zimbabwe, on the other
hand, has vowed not to release the results until the school has paid the balance of US$22 000, citing a breach of contract.
Regional head of communications, Sub Saharan Africa for the British Council, yesterday said they acknowledge the “frustration and concerns of students and parents of Knowstics Academy regarding the delayed release of the Cambridge O-Level examination results”.
“Knowstics Academy is in breach of contract with the British Council and there is a total of US$22 000 in outstanding examination fees, which have not been paid by the school’s management to the British Council.
“Despite several assurances from the corporate rescuer overseeing the school’s operations, full payment remains outstanding and no assurance of dates for payment has been received.
“We continue to engage with the school’s corporate rescuer and are urging payment of the US$22 000 in fees owing,” she said.
In an interview yesterday, the school’s corporate rescue practitioner, Mr Bhudhama Chikamhi, said they are still trying to negotiate for the release of the results.
“Yes, it is true that several candidates can’t access their O-Level Cambridge results because the previous management appears to have embezzled exam fees amounting to over US$41 000, and the British Council is saying it will only release the results when they have been fully paid.
“It is really unfortunate that around 40 students are still stranded, yet they are supposed to be preparing for the beginning of Lower Sixth classes next Monday, and their results are yet to be released,” he said.
The previous directors of the school were furious when contacted for comment yesterday, with Mrs Edith Mukuwapasi saying The Herald would only get a comment from her after pulling down its story on the website that was published earlier this week.
“You printed the material before verifying with me, so what do you want to find out? The best thing you can do is to take that thing down from the front page.
“Who gave you my number? Your duty was to verify first. I have nothing to talk to you about right now,” said Mrs Mukuwapasi.
