Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE Municipality of Beitbridge has issued a stern warning to unregistered schools operating in the border town, cautioning that they face imminent closure as authorities move towards a joint enforcement blitz ahead of the 2026 school calendar.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, the local authority urged operators of unregistered schools and related institutions to immediately cease operations and regularise their status before the start of the new term.
The move comes in response to mounting concern from residents over the mushrooming of bogus schools operating from residential properties, with some leaving pupils unable to sit public examinations due to a lack of official registration.
Council estimates that more than 20 private schools are operating illegally within the border town.
“Notice is hereby given to owners or administrators of unregistered schools that the Municipality of Beitbridge, with the support of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, will soon commence an enforcement operation to register schools,” reads part of the notice.
“It has come to our attention that there is a proliferation of unregistered ECD centres, private colleges and independent schools within our jurisdiction. These institutions are operating without official registration from the parent ministry, approved health and safety inspections, valid town planning approvals for premises and operating licences.”
Beitbridge District has more than 70 registered primary schools and 18 registered secondary schools operated by Government, local authorities, churches and private individuals.
The municipality has advised owners of unregistered educational institutions not to open for the upcoming school term until they have fully complied with all registration and statutory requirements set by both the local authority and the parent ministry.
Parents and guardians have also been urged to remain vigilant when enrolling their children.
“Beitbridge Municipality strongly advises parents and guardians to ensure that their children are enrolled at registered schools that comply with all regulations,” said council.
The local authority warned that some unregistered private schools compromise learner safety, welfare and educational standards, stressing that enrolment at properly registered institutions guarantees education that meets nationally accepted benchmarks.
“The local authority, working together with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, will conduct a thorough blitz to shut down illegal schools,” the municipality said.
Government has previously cautioned that enrolling learners at unregistered schools undermines the credibility of their academic qualifications and weakens national education standards, prompting authorities to intensify compliance checks ahead of every school term.
In September last year, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education issued an ultimatum to unregistered schools and colleges, directing them to regularise their operations with relevant departments by December 31.
The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, said this while addressing Parliament, where legislators raised serious concerns over the rapid increase in unregistered schools and colleges in both rural and urban areas, which threatens the quality of education provided nationwide.
Minister Moyo said the ministry conducted a study in 2022 which revealed a national shortfall of about 3 000 schools, prompting authorities to begin closing the gap through infrastructure development and regulation reforms.
