Online Reporter
THIS is the final week of the school holidays as schools are expected to open for the second term next week, ending a month-long break for teachers and students.
However, a significant number of students did not enjoy a full month’s break as they were made to undergo extra lessons for at least two weeks, leaving them just 14 days to rest before a more challenging term, especially for the examination classes.
Others did not even have time to rest as school lessons were followed by private lessons in a late bid to prepare students for the end-of-year exams. As the third term fast approaches, Zimbabwean parents and guardians find themselves at a familiar crossroads – the last stretch of the school holidays.
This final weekend should not be treated lightly.
Rather, it presents a crucial window of opportunity to plan, prepare, and execute school-related responsibilities with care and foresight.
Historically, we have witnessed a worrying trend whereby parents and guardians embark on last-minute rushes just before schools reopen, scrambling for uniforms, stationery, textbooks, and also to pay school fees. This last-minute culture is not only stressful but also opens doors to a host of avoidable dangers and unnecessary expenses.
It is common cause that last-minute buying is a risky business as desperation makes for easy targets. It is during this period that thieves, scammers, and unscrupulous dealers lie in wait to prey on unsuspecting parents.
Many parents have fallen victim to con artists who set up temporary stalls with counterfeit products or disappear entirely after receiving payments.
The financial consequences can be devastating. A single scam can wipe out a month’s worth of savings, leaving the child without essential school supplies and the parent with no clear recourse. Beyond the monetary loss, the psychological toll can be severe—disappointment, guilt, and frustration all bundled together on what should be the joyful occasion of a child returning to school.
Furthermore, last-minute buying often means limited choices and higher prices. Shop owners and vendors know the demand is high and may raise prices accordingly. Parents are forced to accept poor quality products or pay premium prices because there simply isn’t time to shop around.
But all this can be avoided with just a bit of planning and action this week.We urge parents to use the remaining days of the holiday wisely, making sure that there is a checklist of what your child needs for the term ahead. It is also the time to inspect old uniforms so that decisions are made on whether they be reused or altered? The same applies to textbooks and stationery.
Regarding school fees, parents and guardians are urged to resist the temptation to delay making payments waiting for the schools to open. Begin payments now or make arrangements with schools before deadlines. Late payments can attract penalties or lead to last-minute borrowing at high interest rates—financial traps that strain the household long after schools reopen.
