NEW: Accept all forms of currency payment, schools told

 

Post Reporter

 

ALL schools, both public and private, must accept all forms of currency for payment of fees and levies, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has said.

 

The follows a public outcry that some schools were rejecting payment in local currency and insisting that they were accepting only foreign currency.

 

Schools opened last week for the second term.

 

In a statement, the Ministry said schools must allow parents and guardians to pay fees and levies in a currency of their choice.

 

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has noted with concern the demand for school fees and levies in US$ by school authorities. For this reason, all public and private schools must accept all forms of currency payment obtaining in the country for school fees and levies.

 

“Therefore, the demand to receive payment exclusively in US$ is not permissible and is contrary to the laws of the land. For the record, the Zimbabwe dollar is still the legal tender in the country. Parents and guardians should, therefore, be allowed to pay fees and levies in Zimbabwe dollars. Those opting to spay fees in US$ or Rand should be allowed to do so calculated against the prevailing interbank rate on the authorised fees and levy structure,” reads part of the statement.

 

No school, private or public, should charge fees without Government’s approval, the Ministry added.

 

The Ministry said it remains committed to ensuring that learning institutions provide quality and relevant primary and secondary education to all Zimbabweans.