Beatrice Hove

REDCLIFF Municipality is concerned with the proliferation of unregistered schools in the community.

Council encouraged operators to follow due registration procedures with both council and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

“These unregistered institutions ranging from pre-school, primary and secondary schools pose a serious danger to both staff and students as they will be operating at unauthorised and dangerous places,” noted Redcliff Municipality in a statement.

These schools, operating without proper authorisation, pose a significant risk to the quality of education and the well-being of students.

Council said it will descend heavily on registered institutions and therefore urged owners to regularise their paperwork.

“The majority of such schools do not meet minimum standards like availability of ablution facilities and as such, they risk being breeding grounds for diseases,” stated the council.

This is in line with last year’s government warning on the same issue of unlicensed schools, warning to unregistered schools operating in backyards, saying the law will take its course.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of an event to celebrate the private sector’s contribution to the country’s education sector, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerai Moyo spoke on the need for these institutions to abide by the law.

“We have allowed private players, individuals, and corporates, through public-private partnerships, to provide the best education in Zimbabwe,” Moyo said. “However, those who wish to establish private colleges must register with the Ministry. We are the regulators, and they must comply with the laws of the country.”

The minister warned that any schools operating without registration will face legal consequences.

“Those who are not registered should refrain from opening schools because the law will be enforced against illegal operators,” Moyo added.