Eaglesvale: Standing up against destruction of a century-old proud Zimbabwean institution

I write as a deeply concerned parent of Eaglesvale School, once one of Zimbabwe’s leading private schools with an admirable track record of producing students who have gone on to achieve distinction in their country and beyond.

Since establishment in 1911, our great school has recorded a prestigious list of alumni across a broad range of fields, outstanding men and women who have excelled throughout a diverse array of careers to bring credit to our school system and their country.

Because of this solid reputation spanning over more than a century, different generations of my own family members passed through the gates of Eaglesvale, not only leaving with great pride much as they arrived, but maintaining undying love and lifelong attachment to their alma mater.

But this everlasting love for the school and generous alumni patronage – which have withstood the test of time despite some negative changes over the many years – have now come under very serious threat. It’s without exaggeration to say that our school is at its lowest ebb since Rev. A.J. Botha and Rev. J.N. Geldenhuys founded it many decades ago.

I’m very saddened to report that the current situation is as a result of the manner Eaglesvale is now being governed, with reckless disregard of the pride Vale tradition.

As the saying goes: a fish rots from the head down.

Some years back, our school was taken over by the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe. Little or no consultation at all took place, leaving key stakeholders like parents in the dark. The day-to-day operations of Eaglesvale are now being done from Masvingo, through proxies, using the school as a cash cow for the church’s other interests.

Funds, which are supposed to go towards maintaining the school’s standards as well as dignified wages for staff, are now serving the interests of the church first.

The school’s accounts are in total disarray, largely because tithes taken by the church aren’t recorded.

Parents pay school fees timely, but Eaglesvale has now resorted to borrowing from banks, with parents being asked constantly to contribute to extra services. Heads of departments have been instructed to stop all purchases, the chorus being “the school doesn’t have money”. No prize for guessing where all the money goes to!

Eaglesvale school fees are as follows: US$1,760.00 (Forms 1–5, day), US$3,400.00 (Forms 1–5, boarding), US$1,800.00 (Sixth Form, day) US$3,600.00 (Sixth Form, boarding).

The board has pretty much taken over management of the school in such areas as procurement and staff recruitment. The recruitment process for new staff stinks of nepotism, and recently a very senior position was filled by an individual who never applied for the post or attended interviews.

A vacancy had arisen in that position after the incumbent was retired upon reaching pensionable age of 65 years. To everybody’s dismay, the stipulated age of retirement was increased when the old gentleman’s replacement – who is from the inner circle – reached the same age.

As parents we continue to receive numerous reports from students and concerned junior staffers to the effect that this senior gentleman, suspiciously appointed, doesn’t know where to draw the line between respect and fear. He prefers the latter. He has destroyed a once pleasant school culture by creating a toxic environment of gossiping and exclusivity, surrounding himself with incompetent staff who thrive on such to retain underserved favours. How so disheartening this is to the many hard-working and proud junior staffers who sacrifice so much for our school’s old standards and good name.

Please do not get me wrong. We have nothing at all against the church, and in this case the RCZ. I’m a devout Christian, a distinguished citizen and God-fearing man myself – just like my fellow Eaglesvale parents who are equally dismayed. RCZ isn’t the first church in Zimbabwe to be associated with top private schools. But in the instance of others, never have we witnessed such interference and disrespect for a school the church should be at the forefront of uplifting.

Rumour is circulating that the headmaster Dennis Anderson, an outstanding gentleman and fine administrator who has however been overshadowed by the church, will retire this year. This will leave all well-meaning members of our institution at the mercy of individuals with no respect at all for the name of Eaglesvale School.

Mr Anderson’s retirement could be the final nail in the coffin for Eaglesvale.

But what is the option? Giving up on our school? NO!

Good people must stand up and fight against this blatant plunder of one of our country’s proudest institutions.

Yours Sincerely,

Concerned Parent