The Government has urged parents to be responsible and pay school fees for their children.
This is despite the Government promising to roll out universal free basic education starting this year, a commitment that has not materialised.
School heads told NewsDay that they were failing to effectively run schools because the number of parents who had not paid fees was very high.
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said parents are obliged to pay school fees. He said:
Parents were obliged to pay fees in full or make payment plans with school authorities where they have challenges.
There are situations whereby some parents have not paid their children’s fees for two consecutive terms and they still send their children to school when they have not engaged the authorities. School heads have raised those issues with us.
They know very well that they can’t turn away pupils over non-payment of fees, but they are left with no option when parents are reluctant to meet their obligation. We encourage parents to be responsible on the issue of paying fees.
The Primary and Secondary Education ministry does not tolerate a situation whereby pupils roam around the streets (after being) turned away from school.
Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads Munyaradzi Majoni said some parents are unwilling to pay school fees and this leaves school authorities with no option but to send their children home. He said:
Schools are non-profit making institutions, therefore, they need every cent due from parents to be able to run smoothly.
If we let some pupils attend school, while enjoying the services that they did not pay for, then we discourage those parents and guardians who are consistent with paying fees for their children.
We understand that the economic environment is not favourable for every parent to afford school fees.
What is worrisome is that over the holidays, school heads opened their doors for parents who had challenges in paying fees to come and make payment plans, but few heeded the calls.
It shows a disappointing carelessness on the part of the parents. School authorities will be left with no option, but to turn away the children who have not paid their fees in full.
Zimbabwe Teachers Association secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said:
The issue of fees payment for teachers’ children has caused confusion in schools. Some teachers have already stopped paying fees for their children, while government has not met its promise.
It’s not certain whether this year government will pay the fees because it has been going back and forth throughout last year.
Government has also not yet paid the 2022 third term fees for pupils under [the Basic Education Assistance Module], yet the 2023 first term fees are required already.