Education director fumes over sending of pupils home

From Increase Gumbo in Mwenezi
Masvingo provincial education director Mr Zedious Chitiga is fuming against schools in Mwenezi that reportedly send pupils home for failing to pay school fees. In an interview with The Herald, Mr Chitiga said the schools’ action were a clear defiance of a Government directive that protects schoolchildren.

“I am worried to learn that there are some schools, which are still expelling pupils because we have set the record straight that the pupils are not the ones guilty, but their parents. No pupil should be sent home for failing to pay fees. Parents should notify us when they see school authorities sending children home for failing to pay fees,” he said. Mr Chitiga said Government would deal with school authorities defying such orders. Zanu-PF provincial secretary for transport and party coordinator in Mwenezi District Cde Renius Muchoko said expulsion of children from schools over fees was rampant in the district. He said the party would confront school authorities if Government failed to deal with its officials.

“We have heard of quite a number of schools which are expelling our children over fees. It’s not that we do not want to pay fees, but if we hear that these expulsions are continuing we have no choice, but to take the matter into our hands.” Sources said the schools had been sending children home since they opened for the third term. Many villagers are not aware of the Government directive that no school should turn away pupils for failure to pay fees. The directive notes that parents and guardians are the ones who enter into contract with the schools for payment of fees and their failure to do so should not affect the learners. Schools are being urged to resort to other means like taking the legal route to recover the outstanding fees from the parents, instead of victimising innocent children by depriving them of access to education.