MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE-Primary and Secondary Education Ministry has issued a stern warning to schools who are demanding fees exclusively in United States Dollars, saying such actions are inconsistent with government policy and a violation of the law.
In a statement, the Ministry’s spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro said parents should be allowed to pay fees using any form of currency which they are comfortable in as long as it is legal tender in the country.
“All public and private schools are reminded that they must accept all forms of currency payment obtaining in the country for school fees and levies. The demand to receive payment only in USD is not permissible and is contrary to the laws of the land,” warned Ndoro.
He said schools should use the prevailing official interbank rate.
The Government warning comes at a time when some school authorities are reportedly refusing fees payment in Zimbabwe dollars and demanding the United States dollars only.
Parents who spoke to this reporter but refused to be named says “schools are hiding behind bank networks as an excuse to discourage parents to pay in local currency in favor of the hard currency”.
Parents said that the move by some schools to ask for a single currency clearly defies logic as most of the people are earning salaries in local currency.
In Masvingo City former group A, Victoria High School is demanding 60% of the fees in USD and the remainder in local currency, a popular money changer told The Midweek as she was sending off her form one pupil to school.
Meanwhile, Midlands Provincial Education Director Robson Machimbira told The Midweek Watch that “all schools in the province opened as usual on Monday although some of the learners did not turn up, but quite a significant number managed to report to school for the second term opening”.
Machimbira said the ministry officials are also visiting learning institutions for spot checks and verifying attendance of both teachers and students.
Machimbira added that the authorities will also asses schools preparedness regarding hygienic issues as there are reports of cholera outbreak in the province.
“We are checking the preparedness of schools regarding hand washing facilities as there is alarm of cholera,” he said.
He said the education department will also be on the look out on the fees payments and how schools are implementing resource mobilizing.
He however, warned school authorities against sending learners home for non payment of fees.
“There are some people who talk of learners being send home. That is illegal and anyone who is found sending learners away for the purpose of fees collection will be on the wrong side of the law,” said Machimbira.
