Parents urged to report errant schools

Harare(New Ziana)-Parents should report schools that are either increasing fees without government approval or withholding examination results where learners have not paid fees, acting Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kirsty Coventry said on Friday.

Coventry told reporters that schools should not increase fees by more than 20 percent without government approval.

“Schools that need to increase fees and levies need to submit the applications to the secretary of Primary and Secondary Education for approval.

“We don’t want schools that are going to be making huge profits, they are there to provide education. Payment of fees and levies shall be made in Zimbabwean dollars. For the avoidance of doubt, requests by schools for payments in specific currency are not acceptable,” she said.

Coventry said it had come to the attention of the Ministry that some Grade 7 graduates were failing to secure Form 1 places because schools were withholding their 2019 examination results.

“I would like to reiterate the national and Ministry position that no learner should be denied school on account of outstanding fees that will be owing.

“Withholding the exam results on account of fees that are owed by a parent is unacceptable and heads of schools are directed to release any results they may be withholding to enable the learner to proceed with their education without hindrance,” she said.

She said it was an offence for schools to sell uniforms and force parents to buy from them.

“This again is unacceptable and has the potential to result in the increase in the cost of education to the parent and guardian. Parents and guardians and learners shall be allowed to purchase school uniforms to their best advantage,” she said.

New Ziana