By Ndumiso Tshuma
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has informed schools that it will not approve any fee or levy increases unless they justify and warned schools against chasing away learners for non-payment of fees.
The education ministry underlined that the Consumer Price Index should not be used as one of the reasons for increasing fees.
In a reminder on school governance procedures sent to the schools, the education ministry said all institutions providing Primary and Secondary Education are reminded that they are bound by the procedures when making school fee adjustments according to Secretary’s Circular No.1 of 2023.
“The Permanent Secretary shall not approve any increase or levies sought in respect of the next term unless the increases of such fees and levies are justified by reference to some basis other than the application of the consumer price index. Further, the proposal to increase fees or levies must be approved by a majority of the parents at a meeting of the School Parents Assembly attended by not less than 20 per centum of the parents,” said the ministry.
The education ministry said schools cannot charge fees exclusively in foreign currency.
“In accordance with the Secretary’s Circular No.10 of 2022, the government policy position is that school fees must be paid in Zimbabwean dollars (ZWL). No school therefore must force any parents to pay fees or levies exclusively in foreign currency since parents are free to pay in a currency of their choice as Zimbabwe operates under a multi-currency regime,” said the ministry.
“If fees are pegged in foreign currency for value preservation, parents must pay school fees in local currency at the prevailing interbank rate of the day the transaction has been made.”
The education ministry also informed schools that parents and guardians are free to purchase uniforms and stationery wherever they find it cheaper in line with the specifications of the given school.
“Head of Schools and responsible authorities are therefore warned to abide by this directive and desist from making it mandatory for parents to purchase school uniforms and stationery exclusively at their schools,” said the ministry.
The ministry reiterated that under the Permanent Secretary’s Circular No.3 of 2019, no school should withhold results for Grade 7, O level and A level candidates while demanding outstanding arrears for fees and levies.
“The contract of undertaking public examinations in Zimbabwe is between ZIMSEC and the candidates while the obligation to pay fees and levies remains with the parents and guardians.”
On that note, the education ministry added that “no child must be sent away from school for non-payment of fees and levies” because the contract of that payment remains with the parents and guardian plus the school.
“Parents and guardians are obliged to pay approved school fees and levies as required by the school to meet its operational costs and overheads.
