Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
Schools opened for the 2026 first term on Tuesday and apart from the usual activities associated with schools re-opening, one school, Riverton Academy Murinye in Masvingo Province, was in the news after Chief Murinye, in whose jurisdiction the new boarding school is located, blocked the road to the institution arguing that it had been constructed without his consent.
Riverton Academy Murinye is the latest school under the Riverton Academy banner run by prominent Masvingo businessman and educationist, Mr Philemon Mutangiri.
The new school, which is located at the Mutangiri homestead at Machingura Village in Murinye communal lands under Masvingo Central district about 65km south east of Masvingo City, opened its doors at the beginning of this year.
The question that has been raised as a result of the stand-off, among members of the public, what are the requirements for establishing a private school?
According to a document from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, establishing a private school is regulated by various stakeholders.
“Establishing a private school in Zimbabwe is a regulated multi-polar process governed by the Education Act (Chapter 25: 04), the Education (Registered) Regulations and administered by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) in coordination with local authorities (Councils) and statutory inspectors,” reads part of the document.
Success, therefore depends on compliance across three pillars, which are: Legal Identity (Responsible Authority): Local Authority and Engineering Compliance: MoPSE Approval and Registration (ED1A Process).
In addition to the above, rural schools are subject to additional planning, infrastructure and viability standards.
Pillar 1: Legal Identity-The Responsible Authority
Before engaging the MoPSE, the school must have a legally recognised responsible authority (owner or operator).
The school can be registered as a Private Limited Company, Trust or as Association or as a Non-Profit.
The school also has to register with Zimra for tax purposes by obtaining a Zimra Business Partner Number (BPN) and a Tax Clearance Certificate (ITF 263).
The institution also has to provide governing documents that can a Constitution or Trust Deed and must explicitly state that education provision is a core objective, identify the responsible Authority and provide for governance and financial accounting.
Pillar 2: Local Authority and the Compliance
“A school cannot be built or operated without full local authority approval,” the document reads.
Land must be zoned institutional or educational but if it residential or agricultural one must apply for change of land use or rezoning.
The Council responsible must also provide written permission allowing a school on a specific site.
The owner or operator must also provide architectural and structural drawings to Council Engineering and the Plans must meet model building by-laws including classroom space measuring 1.3-1,5 square metres per learner, adequate ventilation and natural lighting and prescribed ablution ratios for pupils and staff.
The responsible Council must also carry out inspections at the found or trench stage, slab stage, lintel or roof height stage and roofing and drainage stage.
The owner or operator must submit a health inspection certificate (sanitation, water, waste).
The school should also submit a fire safety clearance.
The Council Building Inspector must issue a certificate of occupation prior the occupation and the MoPSE cannot fully register a school without the certificate.
Pillar 3: MoPSE and Registration (ED1A Process)
“Applications are submitted via District Schools Inspector (DSI), processed by the Provincial Education Director (PED) and finalised at Head Office,” reads part of the document.
Phase A: Authority to Establish
Permission to develop a school (not to operate).
The owner has to submit Form ED1A ( Primary/Secondary schools), Council-approved site and floor plans, feasibility/need assessment.
Applications maybe rejected in areas deemed overserved.
Phase B: Registration of the School
This is applied for once buildings are complete.
The registration requirements are proof of land ownership or long-term lease, governing Constitution of the Responsible Authority, qualified teaching staff list and the Head must be a qualified, registered educator.
The owners should also submit curriculum proposal whether Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council, Cambridge or approved dual system, financial capacity evidence ( bank statement) and an SIAS report confirming curriculum, staffing and instructional readiness.
ED1A- Structure and decision flow.
The Responsible Authority should issue a declaration confirming the school’s name, location, opening date, streams, grades and total enrolment capacity, proposed staffing and qualifications and legal undertakings on building maintenance, water and sanitation (ED30), curriculum adherence and financial sustainability
The DSI must make an assessment verifying facilities vs declared capacity, reviewing proximity to other schools and issue recommendations or remedial actions.
The PED must also carry out a review confirming alignment with provincial education planning and assess grant eligibility where applicable.
The Permanent Secretary in the MoPSE will then issue provincial or full registration and assigns official school registration number.
The provisional registration will be valid for between 12-24 months outstanding conditions must be met for full registration.
The teacher-pupil ratios must also be submitted with the Public benchmark being 1:40 while private schools may propose lower ratios.
The final capacity approval rests with the MoPSE.
The naming of the school must be cleared by the MoPSE and cannot be identical or confusingly similar to an existing school.
Rural Schools-Additional Mandatory Requirements
“Rural schools are assessed against enhanced viability and sustainability standards using a DSI Rural Checklist. Non-compliance is a frequent cause of rejection,” the document reads.
Teacher accommodation on site is mandatory with each house typically including two bedrooms, sitting room and kitchen.
The owner should construct at least five staff houses.
The rationale for the mandatory provision of accommodation is that rural areas lack viable rental markets and the MoPSE will not register schools relying on makeshift housing.
Water security should be guaranteed through certified portable borehole water and must be within 500 m of classrooms and teacher housing.
“DSI strictly assesses proximity Government P3/S3 schools and new private rural schools must not cannibalise enrolment unless evidence shows nearby schools are over-capacity,” the document reads.
On schools’ categorisation, the Ministry says they are categorised by location, facilities and boarding status.
“The intended category must be declared in ED1A, affecting fees and infrastructure benchmarks,” reads the document.
PI/SI schools are elite boarding while P3/S3 are standard rural schools.
Mismatch between facilities and declared category results in down classification or delays (in registration).
For rural secondary schools’ infrastructure, the DSI requires, beyond housing, at least one laboratory, two specialist rooms for practical subjects such as agriculture, woodwork and home economics, dedicated administration block.
Minimum land size for primary schools is 12 hectares and 24 hectares for secondary schools with a provision for adjustments for boarding, sports and agriculture.
For communal land, there should a letter of no objection from the responsible Headman or Chief, in addition to the RDC permit while documents showing community consent absence of land disputes must be attached to the EDIA form.
“Where water-borne sewage is not feasible, Blair Research V.I.P toilets are acceptable. Ratios remain one toilet per 20-25 learners,” the document further reads.
Council Engineering should ensure structural safety, habitability and also provide certificate of occupation.
The DSI should ensure educational fitness, furniture, lighting, layout and compliance with approved plans.
