Petition Parliament to criminalise non-payment of fees by parents: Minister

PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo reiterated that the exclusion of learners over non-payment of schools is unlawful and a violation of children’s right to education as the obligation to pay fees lies with parents and guardians.

Despite the country’s Constitution criminalising the exclusion of learners for non-payment of fees, some errant school authorities continue to defy the Government.

Addressing district schools’ inspectors and school heads from Matabeleland North Province at Tsholotsho High School on Thursday, Minister Moyo said instead of barring pupils from attending classes, school authorities should consider petitioning Parliament to enact a law that criminalises non-payment of school fees and levies by parents.

Minister Moyo said a petition by the National Association of Primary School Heads (NAPH) and the National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH) could be the only legal route that school heads can take to ensure that parents and guardians adhere to their obligations of paying school fees and levies.

“We have always said that the obligation to pay school fees and levies lies with the parent or guardian, not a learner hence our position that schools must not bar these innocent children from attending school. You need to think outside the box if you want parents and guardians to adhere to school fees payment,” he said.

Minister Moyo said citizens have a right to petition Parliament as enshrined in Constitution Article 149.

“Instead of harassing our learners, you must instead write a petition to Parliament stating your concerns and also suggest what you think must be done to parents or guardians who are not paying school fees and levies,” he said.

“Once you do that, the petition will be handed over to the Primary and Secondary Education portfolio committee which will then go out on an outreach programme to gather the views of the populace. This is how a Bill is crafted.”

Minister Moyo said the Government is using a Statutory Instrument of 2000 which imposes penalties for sending children away from school.

“It is not a secret that the Government, using legal instruments does not want any leaner to be barred from class but it’s worrying as we continue to see some of you defying this position. Very soon we will be forced to take drastic measures,” he said.

“Let me make this clarion call that parents and guardians must pay school fees and levies on or before opening day of schools, they have that obligation because our schools can’t operate without this money. This is why I am saying seek a legislative weapon to whip into line such parents.”

Earlier on, Minister Moyo toured the Better Schools Programme of Zimbabwe offices at Tsholotsho Business Centre. The building was razed by fire in 2021.

NASH Matabeleland North chairperson, Mr Sicelo Dube told the Minister that through their concerted efforts, school heads from the district raised funds to reconstruct the structure.

“We agreed that each one of our over 40 000 learners in the district pays US$1 and our provincial education director Mr Jabulani Mpofu and the district schools Inspector Mr Special Moyo approved the initiative,” said Mr Dube.