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The parents said some teachers were no longer devoting themselves to normal classes so that they take pupils for extra lessons either at their homes or at schools for a fee.
In response, Dr Dokora said the Government was aware of such tendencies.
He said it was a chargeable offence for any teacher or school to conduct extra lessons for non-examinable classes.
The deputy Minister warned that those found violating Government rules would be charged and urged parents to report any teacher or school that was conducting or encouraging extra lessons to the district education offices.
“We have heard concerns about schools and teachers giving more time to extra lessons at the expense of normal lessons. That is illegal,” said Dr Dokora.
He said there were only two instances when the Ministry allows extra lessons and school heads should seek authority from district education offices to conduct the extra lessons in such times.
“Extra lessons are allowed in times of natural disasters when a school is forced to close and in that case, the head is allowed by the law to apply to the district education office to have extra lessons. The extra lessons are also allowed for classes writing public examinations that particular year and these extra lessons should be conducted during the second term,” Dr Dokora said.
The deputy Minister said in each instance, the period for extra lessons should not exceed two weeks.
“It is proven that if pupils do not get enough rest time their concentration is reduced and they stop absorbing. The extra lessons should be done in one or two weeks. These are the only two instances when a teacher or school can conduct extra lessons and they should first seek authority from the Ministry. Anything else is illegal and you should report to the Ministry any violations,” said Dr Dokora.
Turning to the issue of incentives, which has also in the past sparked outrage in the education sector, as they were deemed discriminatory, Dr Dokora said his Ministry would stop at nothing to charge those who would be found to be abusing school funds.
“Incentives were brought about by the inclusive Government at a time when schools had become dysfunctional during the time of hyperinflation. Parents wanted their children to learn and as a Ministry we then put a policy in place, which allows 10 percent of the school levy to be paid to teachers as a token of appreciation.
“However, we are aware that there are some, who are paying themselves up to 30 percent of that money as incentives and we have a number of school heads that have been taken to court. Those caught will be charged. Another area of concern is that of abuse of school funds by School Development Committees that demand high sitting allowances each time they visit the school. Some have even gone to the extent of going to school on a daily basis as if they are pupils. That should stop forthwith,” said Dr Dokora.
Online Reporter