The usually quiet halls of Usher Girls High School in Figtree, a boarding school situated along Plutree road in Matabeleland South province, were recently filled with the sounds of celebration.
But these weren’t the usual school festivities. Two Form Three pupils decided to take their friendship to a whole new level, holding what they termed a “mock wedding ceremony” right in their classroom, B-Metro has reported.
The news of this unusual event has sent ripples through the school and beyond, with many questioning the motivations behind the girls’ actions.
A teacher at the school, who requested anonymity, revealed that the ceremony was attended by the girls’ classmates and that a bride price of US$180 had been paid.
“It is not known who among the students raised US$180 as the bride price. The venue was beautiful and decorated with balloons,” the teacher said.
The celebration, however, was short-lived. The commotion caught the attention of the headmistress, who was patrolling the school.
“The headmistress rushed to where the noise was emanating from and was shocked to find the wedding in progress,” the teacher explained.
“Upon seeing the headmistress, some pupils fled from the classroom while some learners including the ‘bridegroom and bride maid’ remained.”
The incident has prompted swift action from the school authorities. The parents of the two girls were summoned last week, and the pupils at the centre of the storm were issued with transfer letters.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has also taken note of the incident, with spokesperson Taungana Ndoro confirming that a thorough investigation is underway.
“We are aware of the recent incident that occurred at one of the secondary schools,” Ndoro said.
“We do not condone any activities that disrupt the academic focus or violate school policies. A thorough investigation is underway, led by a committee of experienced educators and administrators.”
Ndoro stressed the importance of respecting the privacy of those involved.
“We urge the media and the public not to speculate on the matter and let’s respect the privacy and confidentiality of those involved. Our priority is to maintain a positive and constructive learning environment for all students,” he said.
While the reasons behind the girls’ actions remain unclear, the incident has sparked debate about the role of education in shaping young minds and the importance of addressing issues that may lead to such unconventional behaviour.
Some have suggested that the incident highlights the need for increased awareness and education on issues such as gender roles, sexuality, and the importance of respecting boundaries.
