A SCHOOL in Lupane District, Matabeleland North, is nearly
deserted after pupils claimed to have been assaulted by goblins, district
school inspector Mr Lovemore Ncube has said.
Mr Ncube said parents and guardians withdrew their children
from Mhlanga Mlambo Primary School to protect them from being attacked by
suspected goblins.
Lessons were suspended on February 10 and only resumed last
Friday, but only a few children turned up.
“The school was
closed on February 10 when parents decided to protect their children from being
attacked by goblins. However, on Friday we had about 90 children attending
lessons. The school has an enrolment of over 180 so I am expecting a report
from the school head on the progress,” said Mr Ncube.
Mr Ncube said traditional leaders with the blessing of
Chief Mabhikwa engaged the services of a traditional healer who cleansed the
school and surrounding homesteads.
“Parents and the traditional leadership engaged the
services of a traditional healer who cleansed the school and the surrounding
areas; so that is why lessons have resumed,” he said.
A teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity said she was
alerted by a Grade Three pupil who came running to the staff room saying they
were being beaten by “invisible things” while playing at the school grounds.
She rushed to the grounds where two Grade Four pupils were
wriggling on the ground while others were frothing on the mouth.
The pupils were taken to the clinic where they were treated
and discharged.
She added that the problem persisted the following day when
more pupils were seen rolling on the ground after they were tripped by “things”
believed to be goblins.
A red flag was then raised by the community leading to the
closure of the school and the subsequent cleansing ceremony where parents
contributed $10 per household towards paying the traditional healer.
Matabeleland North education director, Mr Jabulani Mpofu
also confirmed the incident saying lessons have since resumed following the
cleansing ceremony.
“What I can confirm is that 90 children attended lessons on
Friday and we are expecting more after a cleansing ceremony was done,” he said.
Last month, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
sought the assistance of traditional leaders and healers to cast away alleged
goblins that terrorised teachers at Ntenjane Primary School in Bulilima,
Matabeleland South.
The teachers abandoned the school after they were attacked
by goblins.
Last year, Lupaka Clinic and Luhumbe Primary School both in
Lupane District were also temporary closed following claims of goblin attacks.
Chronicle
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