Harare,  (New Ziana) – The Government has issued a strong warning to unregistered schools operating across the country, that their days were numbered. This follows growing concern from legislators over the rapid increase of substandard and illegal learning institutions.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerai Moyo, told the Senate during a Question and Answer session that Cabinet will soon issue a directive for the closure of all unregistered schools.

“It is important to repeat that it is illegal for any unregistered school to operate. Let us warn parents not to take learners to such schools. When you look for vacancies at any school, find out whether it is registered,” he urged.

He was responding to Senator Chief Chikwaka who called on authorities to act swiftly against the mushrooming of bogus schools and colleges which are substandard, lack basic facilities, and are exploiting desperate parents seeking education for their children.

Moyo said while the Government does not intend to act abruptly, a grace period would be given to allow these institutions to meet the minimum standards required for operation.

“One day, and very soon, it is going to happen where Government through Cabinet will order all illegal schools to close. But we will not close immediately. We will give deadlines, perhaps four months for such schools to register, regularise, and ensure that their facilities are up to standard, even for health reasons,” he said.

Moyo also expressed concern that some of the unregistered institutions were deceiving parents by collecting examination fees, only to fail in remitting those funds to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council.

“We realised that such schools are ripping off parents. Sometimes they claim examination fees but that school does not further remit the fees to ZIMSEC,” he said.

New Ziana