By Admore Mbonda in Binga
BINGA DISTRICT — A school community near Binga Centre is on edge after a series of sudden fainting episodes left learners trembling, terrified, and unable to focus on their studies, prompting urgent calls for medical and public health intervention.
Musumpuli Siambwanda, a pupil at Sikajaya Muntanga Primary School, collapsed during lessons and reportedly lost consciousness for about an hour.
When he regained awareness, he remained pale and visibly distressed. His family says the incident has since affected his concentration and confidence about the future.
“My son is not coping—he collapsed and was unconscious for an hour,” said Mejury Siabwanda, Musumpuli’s mother. “He looks strained, and his dreams seem to be fading. We just want answers.”
Siabwanda said she has been seeking help for her son since the collapse, including attending a night vigil organised in the hope of restoring calm at the school.
Another parent who attended the vigil told Gemination that she did not know what was behind the episodes but insisted that she and other families want their children to be safe and able to return to normal learning.
Sikajaya Muntanga Primary School, located roughly 500 metres from Binga Centre, opened in September last year.
Over the past month, health and safety concerns have escalated following reports that 17 out of 350 learners—mainly in Grades 3 to 5—have exhibited sudden disturbances ranging from fainting to fleeing classrooms in fear.
According to multiple witnesses, episodes often occur during lessons, and some learners claim they sensed something frightening in the classroom environment. Several families also reported that when one child collapses or becomes distressed, others appear to be affected shortly afterward.
Binga District Schools Inspector (DSI) Edson Masungo confirmed that the school has been handling repeated learner-related incidents and said the matter has been escalated for further support.
“We are worried about what is happening,” Masungo said. “We have taken the issue to the highest authorities for assistance because this is complex—different people hold different beliefs.”
He added that rather than relying on one type of intervention, the school has been engaging parents on steps that can help learners immediately while broader support is sought.
Behind the scenes, the crisis has also exposed divisions within the community. Traditional leaders and families often advocate for spiritual and ancestral explanations, while others urge caution and emphasise medical assessment—particularly given the pattern of repeated collapses during class hours.
School Development Committee chairperson Peter Siakapya Munsaka said the episodes appear to follow a troubling pattern.
“If one child falls, others become affected as well,” Munsaka said. “Even when one recovers, the recovery does not mean the fear has ended—there is a ripple effect.”
Chief Siansali, born Nkatazo Siatabwa, said the situation is damaging children’s education and emotional well-being.
“Seeing our learners robbed of learning time is heartbreaking,” he said, urging unity on how to address the crisis respectfully and effectively.
In an effort to restore order, a night vigil was organised involving parents and local spiritual leaders. During the vigil, some children described disturbing experiences while others remained shaken but silent, heightening parents’ fears that the school environment itself may be contributing to the episodes.
Yet as emotional distress continues, concerns are now also rising that the events may require stronger health-focused measures—such as medical examinations, environmental checks, and rapid-response support for learners who collapse.
A village head who spoke on condition of anonymity said modern realities should not be ignored.
“I am worried about the children,” he said. “We cannot dismiss the role of modern life in crises. Maybe we must balance tradition with current public health realities.”
Jayson Mwembe said families should pay attention to what children are “communicating,” urging calm and coordinated action.
“I am scared for my child’s safety,” she said. “We need answers, and we need them now. What is happening is not normal.”
Meanwhile, Mayasi Mudenda, chairperson of the Binga Residents Trust, called the situation painful and said children should not be treated as a spectacle.
“Imagine children are disturbed and robbed of their learning time,” he said. “We hope this comes to normal at school.”
As investigations continue, Sikajaya Muntanga Primary School remains a focal point for the district—where education, fear, and competing explanations are colliding.
The district education office says it will continue working with relevant authorities to determine what is behind the episodes and how best to protect learners while ensuring the school can resume stable learning.
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