Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Remember Deketeke, Harare Bureau
GOVERNMENT has urged school heads to stop engaging in unethical practices, such as demanding full fees in foreign currency, turning away students for non-payment, and soliciting bribes for student placements.
This announcement was made by Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mr Moses Mhike in response to complaints from parents.
Mr Mhike said school fees must be paid in local currency, in line with the Secretary’s Circular No. 10 of 2022.
“No school should force any parent to pay fees or levies exclusively in foreign currency. Parents are free to pay in any currency of their choice, as Zimbabwe operates under a multi-currency regime,” he said.
Mr Mhike said if fees are pegged in foreign currency for value preservation, parents must be allowed to pay in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate on the day of the transaction.
Regarding school uniforms and stationery, he reiterated that parents are free to purchase these items wherever they find them cheaper, in accordance with school specifications.
“Heads of schools and responsible authorities are therefore warned to abide by this directive and refrain from mandating parents to buy uniforms and stationery exclusively at their schools,” Mr Mhike said.
Inspectors will be dispatched to ensure compliance with these directives.
Some schools have been accused of cashing in on desperate parents as schools are set to open next week.
Among other charges, schools have been accused of selling uniforms at exorbitant prices, exclusively demanding school fees in foreign currency, and also sidelining children on the Government’s Basic Education Assistance Model (BEAM).
Ahead of schools opening on Tuesday, The Herald has been inundated with calls from distressed parents, who are accusing school authorities of sucking them dry.
On his part, Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads Secretary-General Munyaradzi Majoni indicated that preparations for the first term of 2025 are well underway and urged parents to pay fees on time.
“We anticipate a smooth opening of schools next week. Most administrators are finalising preparations for a seamless transition into the first term of 2025 and urging parents to make every effort to pay their fees in full by the first day of school,” he said.
Mr Majoni noted the late introduction of the heritage-based curriculum syllabus, and said there is a need for workshops to equip teachers effectively.
“We encourage our principals to fast-track these workshops to fulfil their mandated work,” he said.
Mr Majoni called on the media to play a critical role in educating school administrators and ensuring accountability for any wrongdoing.
The Government’s firm stance on fees seeks to protect parents and students from exploitative practices as the new school term approaches.
In a related matter, on Tuesday police warned school authorities to refrain from storing large amounts of cash on their premises, especially during this time of year when criminals are increasingly targeting educational institutions.
Armed robberies involving guns, machetes, and iron bars have been on the rise, particularly as schools reopen and parents pay fees. Most schools, instead of banking, keep the fees in their safes, attracting robbers.
In an interview, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi emphasised the necessity for schools to enhance security measures and deposit cash at financial institutions.
“We urge school authorities to step up security measures at schools and employ guards from reputable security service providers who can constantly monitor and review deployments.
“Above all, school authorities should install CCTV at points of entry and administration offices,” he said.
Last year, there was a notable increase in robbery incidents across the country, with several schools experiencing armed break-ins.
