10 Rusape colleges closed

Lovemore Kadzura
STUDENTS at private colleges in Rusape were left stranded after the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education ordered the closure of 10 colleges that were operating without registration. The affected institutions were given up to the end of this term to wind up their operations.

Students were advised to enroll at other properly registered colleges next term.

Independent colleges have of late been mushrooming in Rusape with most of them operating from residential areas and shopping centres.

Some are also housed in dilapidated buildings with no proper ablution facilities.

The affected colleges are Green Acres, Vista Vision, Three Hills, Greater Heights, Gideon, Arise and Saratiel Primary from Headlands.

In letters to the colleges which this paper has in possession, Makoni District Education Officer, Mr Akim Jiji, said the institutions were violating Section 43 of Education Act, Chapter 25.04 and Statutory Instrument 371 of 1988.

“The District Education Officer’s visit to your college on February 26, 2016 refers: It was established that your institution is operating illegally in that it is not registered with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. In terms of Section 43 of the Education Act, Chapter 25:04 as amended in 2006 and Statutory Instrument 371 of 1988, your institution is being closed with effect from March 31, 2016. Follow ups will be conducted by relevant law enforcement agents to ensure compliance with this closure determination. Continuing operations in breach of this will result in prosecution,” reads the letters.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Jiji were fruitless at the time of going to print as he was said to be attending meetings in Mutare. The colleges stand accused of providing substandard education despite the high fees they charge. Unqualified teachers are taking up lessons, a situation that has negatively affected pass rates.