Any school found to be charging unapproved or exorbitant fees may face strict disciplinary measures, including the suspension of the institution’s operating license, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has warned.
This action comes as some schools across the country continue to demand funds for extra lessons or other activities not sanctioned by the ministry.
For instance, schools hold activities such as civvies day, where learners do not wear their uniforms and must pay to wear their home clothes.
In some schools, teachers provide paid extra lessons outside regular school hours, prompting concerns from parents that if they do not pay for these lessons, their children are dismissed early while those who pay remain in class.
Some teachers charge an extra US$10 or more per child each month for these extra lessons.
Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Angeline Gata, said the ministry takes school fee policies and practices “very seriously” as they directly impact the accessibility and affordability of education for all children.
“It is a clear policy of the government that all fees charged by schools must be approved by the (Permanent) Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education (in the ministry),” Gata said.
The deputy minister said the fee approval process ensures that school fees are kept at reasonable and affordable levels without placing undue financial burdens on parents and guardians.
“Any school found to be charging unapproved or exorbitant fees will be subject to strict disciplinary measures, including the potential suspension of the school’s operating license,” Gata said.
Gata added that schools are strictly prohibited from introducing activities or programs that demand additional payments from pupils beyond the approved school fees.
“This includes the practice of requiring pupils to wear ‘civvies’ to school, which often incurs extra costs for parents,” said the deputy minister.
Such activities are viewed by the ministry as attempts to make education unnecessarily expensive, Gata said, adding that they are against the principle of providing accessible and inclusive education for all.
The deputy minister said teachers are also barred from conducting paid extra lessons outside of normal school hours.
“The regular time allocated for teaching should be sufficient for pupils to acquire the required knowledge and skills,” Gata said.
“Any reports of teachers engaging in unauthorized extra lessons for financial gain will be thoroughly investigated and met with appropriate disciplinary action.”
If the ministry receives reports or concerns from parents about such practices, the deputy minister said they would dispatch a team of inspectors to investigate.
“The Ministry will continue to monitor and investigate such practices, and swift and decisive action will be taken,” Gata said.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that all schools adhere to Government’s policies and regulations with the ultimate goal of providing quality, accessible, and affordable education for every child in Zimbabwe.”
