A SCHOOL in Lupane District, Matabeleland North, is nearly deserted after pupils claimed to have been assaulted by goblins, district school inspector Lovemore Ncube has said.

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 Ncube.

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.-State media