Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, [email protected]
SCHOOL heads in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South, have reacted with fury to a directive from the local authority demanding the remittance of a US$1 levy per pupil, claiming the council is using “threatening language” while schools struggle to survive.
The Bulilima Rural District Council (RDC) issued a notice on January 19 reminding the 88 primary and secondary schools in the district — both public and private — that the 2026 school levy is now due. The council warned of potential litigation for those failing to comply, sparking a standoff with educators who say they are already crippled by widespread non-payment of fees by parents.
The council’s notice stated: “Council would like to remind schools within Bulilima Rural District Council that school levy for the year 2026 is now due. School levy remains at US$1 or ZA20,00 per child for all schools, which is billed per term each year. You are therefore urged to settle your outstanding arrears to avoid legal action being taken against you.”
School heads expressed dismay at the tone of the communication, arguing that they cannot remit funds they have not yet collected. One official questioned the council’s aggressive stance, noting that schools are at present unable to fund basic operations.
“Taking legal action against who? Why use threatening language? Parents are not paying. Last time we requested that you come to communities to make them aware of this development. Schools are even failing to fund their activities because parents are not paying,” the official said, urging the council to compare its practices with neighbouring districts in Matabeleland South.
The sentiment was echoed by another head who called for a more diplomatic approach to the financial crisis.
“Let us create a conducive working environment where we work without fear or intimidation. No reason to threaten the very cow you intend to milk. Let us try by all means to understand client concerns and not promise legal action before exhausting all possible means,” they remarked.
The local authority maintains that its demands are grounded in the Rural District Councils Act (Chapter 29:13). The legislation empowers RDCs to “provide, operate and maintain schools and other educational institutions and facilities and amenities connected therewith and for such purposes to levy and collect fees and other charges.”
Bulilima RDC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Billiat Mlauzi, dismissed the notion that schools have no funds to spare. Speaking in an interview, he insisted that the council is merely seeking its legal share of whatever revenue the schools have managed to collect.
“We understand schools are saying parents are not paying fees but it can’t be true that schools are not receiving anything. From those who pay, they are supposed to remit to council our share, that is what the law says,” Mr Mlauzi stated.
He added that the council is obligated to enforce the law to ensure revenue is secured for its education fund, which supports institutions across the district.
While many schools are in arrears, Mr Mlauzi highlighted several institutions that remain compliant.
“We have schools like Malalume Secondary, Hingwe Primary, Mazwaligwe Secondary, Nswazi Primary and Thekwane Secondary and Primary who are doing well in that regard and we wish other schools could do the same,” he said, reiterating that legal action remains on the table for those who refuse to comply.
