Parents Must Refuse To Pay Schools Fees In USD - Minister Ndlovu
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Evelyn Ndlovu, says parents whose children have been turned away from school for failing to pay school fees in foreign currency should report the schools to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
Responding to questions from senators in Parliament on Thursday, Ndlovu said government policy does not obligate payment of school fees in foreign currency.
Senator Tichinani Mavetera (ZANU PF), asked Ndlovu to clarify the government’s policy on the payment of school fees. In response, Ndlovu said:
The policy is very clear; our local currency can be used to pay fees.
We have a challenge as seen on social media which have decided to come up with their own policies. We, as the ministry, call upon school heads to accept local currency fees.
Our population continues to break the law.
We have instructed our law enforcement agent ZACC to check all those schools demanding fees in local currency.
I call upon all parents to resist the school heads’ outrageous demands and report them to ZACC.
However, Mavetera asked Ndlovu whether it is the duty of ZACC or the Minister of Education to bring order to the schools. Ndlovu responded:
… the police force resides in another portfolio (Home Affairs ministry). I am serving the nation as my mandate.
Maybe the Senator can advise on the methodology I can use to control the situation.
Reports indicate that most schools countrywide were refusing to accept the Zimbabwe Dollar and instead demanding the United States Dollar before they enrolled learners for the third term which commenced on Monday. | NewZimbabwe.com
