Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
SOME parents and guardians of students at Riverton Academy in Masvingo are crying foul after the decision by school authorities to increase fees for the third term.
The concerned parents have written a letter raising their complaints over what they claim to be an irregular school fees increase ahead of the third term.
According to a letter to the school’s authorities, an Ad-Hoc Committee of Parents and Guardians said the institution increased fees from US$1,250 to US$1,700 without “the required approval process”.
The committee said the increases were allegedly effected through “two separate and unprocedural” adjustments without approval from the National Competitiveness Commission, through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, as stipulated by Section 21 of the Education Act (Chapter 25:04).
The letter claims that first term fees were increased from US$1,000 to US$1,250 while third term fees were increased from US$1,250 to US$1,700. In total, the committee said, this amounts to an increase of US$700 since the beginning of 2026.
The parents further alleged that the school has failed to provide proof of regulatory approval for both increments.
They also questioned why the school had not responded to their concerns and why it did not allow a school development committee to help bridge the gap between parents and the school administration.
The letter, a copy of which was provided by complainants, was signed by Dr Tembo.
Meanwhile, Mutare Teachers College have blasted the college’s leadership after the college announced an emergency interruption of the semester, citing an unexpected booking of the campus.
They argue they were misled because the semester began on August 17 and ran for less than two weeks, even though fees were paid in full.
“We feel duped and disturbed by the emergency break of a semester we paid for in full, for authorities to accommodate another event for money,” said one of the disgruntled parents.
“Is the College considering what we have paid and how much it costs to take children to and from the campus?”
Another parent said some students were stranded after failing to secure transport back to their homes, adding that they were forced to sleep at a bus terminus with their belongings.
“This is so embarrassing and unprofessional, treating us and our children for their extra money,” the parent added.
Efforts to get comment from Mutare Teachers College authorities were unsuccessful.
However, a letter addressed to parents and guardians says the semester break will run from August 30 to September 7 this year.
