Moffat Mungazi
Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is cracking down on school heads who violated the directive explicitly barring schools from sending learners away for non-payment of fees, and allowing parents to pay fees in any currency approved under the multi-currency system – with the interbank exchange rate applying to those using local currency.
The 2025 second term commenced on Tuesday, with some incidents where some schools turned away learners due to outstanding fees arrears, prompting officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to read them the riot act.
Such conduct violated Statutory Instrument No 13 of 2025 which states that no child is to be sent home due to unpaid fees or uniforms; parents can pay fees in any currency approved under the multi-currency system, with the official interbank exchange rate applying to those using local currency; that no learner should be barred from writing exams due to unpaid fees, and for schools to complete O-Level and A-Level exam registrations by May 16, 2025.
Parents are also allowed to purchase uniforms and stationery from any supplier, provided the items meet school requirements, while those parents with outstanding fees were advised to negotiate payment plans with schools. Schools violating these directives will face disciplinary action.
However, scores of learners were barred from entering St Dominic’s High School gate in Mutare on the first day of the term (Tuesday).
On Wednesday, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials visited the school to seek an explanation for turning away learners, citing contradiction with the Government directive.
Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Richard Gabaza confirmed the development, and insisted that school heads must comply with Government regulations.
“We expect all school heads to understand and comply with Government regulations, as schools operate under policies. While most school heads have complied, a few have allegedly violated Statutory Instrument 13 of 2025, which prohibits sending learners home due to unpaid fees and levies. District Schools Inspectors (DSIs) will conduct investigations, and take appropriate disciplinary action as per Statutory Instrument (SI) 1 of 2000, as amended will be taken,” said Mr Gabaza.
A parent who spoke to The Manica Post on condition of anonymity, said it was only after the intervention by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education that learners who had been denied entry, and milling around St Dominic’s High School were allowed into classes.
“As a concerned parent, I have no problems with schools demanding their dues because I have the responsibility to pay school fees for my children. However, I am only worried about a school like St Dominic’s High School, where a new official (priest) from the Responsible Authority is so obsessed with chasing our kids away for not paying school fees without showing the same zeal to the quality of education.
“Right now some A-Level graduates are teaching exam classes at the school. Why are they failing to recruit qualified teachers using the money they are so obsessed with collecting?” charged the parent. Across the province, learning resumed well with 90 percent of the teaching staff reporting for duty, and delivering lessons in classes.
“By and large, teachers have reported for duty and effectively delivering lessons. The ministry has declared war on bullying in schools. We held capacity-building workshops on learner welfare issues, including bullying, to create a safe and supportive school environment. It takes a village to educate a child. Families and communities have a collective responsibility to bring up the 21st-century child who faces challenges like drug and substance abuse.
“We are in a chilly winter season, so parents are encouraged to buy winter uniforms to keep their children warm. Parents must also pay fees and levies on time. If needed, they can make payment plans with school authorities,” said Mr Gabaza.
Mr Gabaza said he needs time to review reports from District Schools Inspectors (DSIs) on addressing accommodation challenges at some Anglican schools in the province.
St Faith’s High, St Augustine’s High, and St David’s Girls’ High are facing accommodation crisis due to over-enrolment of Form One learners last term.
These schools have missed the deadline to complete dormitory construction, exacerbating the issue.
Anglican Diocese of Manicaland education secretary, Reverend Edmund Samutereko said the project was delayed, with the revised target completion now set for 2026.
“Our schools have opened smoothly, and learning is progressing well, with our teachers delivering quality tutorials in class. Learners are paying their fees in the currency of their choice, in line with the Government directive. We have no issues with parents who can afford to pay fees in local currency.
“However, we are still working on the constructing dormitories, which missed the initial deadline, particularly at Bonda and St Faith’s high schools. We now aim to complete the project by 2026. In the meantime, St Augustine’s High has prefabricated infrastructure in place. Additionally, nearby compound houses, previously used by Russian personnel, have been allocated to the school to provide accommodation for up to 200 learners. We are currently securing the compound to ensure the learners’ safety and security,” said Reverend Samutereko.
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