The government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has warned school authorities not to turn away pupils on the basis of non-payment of school fees. The governemnt said that the pupils must not suffer, for the parents’ failure to fulfill their contractual obbligations and urged the school authorities to deal with the situation differently.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango said:
Government policy has not changed and we are not expecting any pupil to be turned away for non-payment of school fees as schools open tomorrow. I was impressed by the way the head of St Columbus High School in Bulawayo deals with parents on issues of fees and levies
However, she urged parents with children at boarding schools to pay school fees before schools opened as the money was needed for food. She added:
Parents with children attending boarding schools know that they should pay fees on or before schools open.
Those with challenges should make arrangements with school authorities but like I said it is important for them to pay these fees on or before schools open to enable schools to pay for requirements such as food
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