Online Reporter
Mashudu Mambo
PARENTS with children at Halale Primary School in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province, are up in arms with the school authorities over an increment on the Grade Seven examination fee.
Instead of the government gazetted US$15 per year, the school administration charged parents US$20 per year, remitting only US$15 to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) while claiming that the extra US$5 was for administration purposes, including school activities and transporting the examination papers.
The concerned parents who preferred anonymity indicated that they felt swindled by the school authorities.
“We believe that the school authorities are corrupt; this is because the exam fee that they ordered us to pay is contradicting with the one that was gazetted by the Zimsec. Our efforts to engage the school authorities were unfruitful; we were told that every home has its rules,” he said.
The parents indicated that they have been reduced to passive spectators in the activities of the school.
“A number of parents no longer attend the meetings at the school because none of our views are considered. We have been turned into passive spectators.
“There are cases where we get threatened with court peace orders if we try to question some of the activities that are being done at the school. We also have an issue of the fees, which are increased yearly, our fees was initially US$20, however, we are currently forced to pay US$40 with no justification,” she said.
The parents are appealing to the ministry to investigate the school authorities.
“A number of people are now scared of opposing the school leadership in fear of being attacked or threatened with peace orders. We are appealing for help in dealing with this predicament,” he said.
The School Development Committee chairperson, Bhekinkosi Dube refused to comment on the issue.
“I cannot comment on the issue because the school probably has some reasons for adding that amount. I will refer you to the relevant authorities,” he said.
The headmistress, Morah Dube denied the allegations, stating that they clarified the additional US$5 to the parents.
“The exam fee is US$15, and the additional US$5 is for activities and transporting the examination papers.
“The challenge that we had was that l discovered that the bursar had combined the two amounts, however, we have rectified the issue,” she said.
