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Rumbidzai Muparutsa
Schools that want to raise school fees in 2019 must follow stipulated procedures, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima has said.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Prof Mavima said any upward review of school fees must be done after consultation with the ministry, and only after reaching an agreement with parents.
“Many schools are in distress due to the changes in prices so some of their demands are reasonable as in some cases, prices of the basics they require have gone up three or four times,” said Prof Mavima.
“There should not be unilateral increases of school fees without seeking the authority of the permanent secretary in the ministry as that is the procedure.
“Those who have made submissions to the Government for a review of their fees are on the right track as the secretary should consider and accept, vary or decline.”
The minister also said schools that are demanding school fees in foreign currency should bear in mind that Zimbabwe had a legal multi-currency trading system.
“None of the schools should demand fees in a manner that precludes payment forms like bond notes and RTGS which are available to the majority of the parents of this nation,” he said.
“The position of multi-currency trading should be observed with those with either mode of payment being allowed to use them. There should be no compulsory use of only one payment form in any school in the country,” he said.
Online Reporter