Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A SIGNIFICANT number of church-run schools across the country have submitted applications to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education seeking permission to privatise their mission schools.
If approved, these schools will operate independently of Government and other key stakeholders.
Privatisation will mean that the schools will no longer be subject to Government regulation regarding their fees structures, teacher recruitment, and general operations.
Instead, they will operate on a profit-making basis, similar to other private businesses.
However, Government will still oversee the curriculum and enforce education-related laws.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, churches in Zimbabwe operate 7,14 percent and 11,91 percent of primary and secondary schools, respectively.
Notably, churches collectively manage more boarding schools than Government.
The Roman Catholic Church has taken the lead in privatising some of its top institutions, including St Ignatius College, St Francis Xavier’s Kutama, and Regina Mundi Girls’ High School.
Marist Brothers Nyanga High School, which is one of the best performing schools in Manicaland, is also set to be privatised by 2027.
The Anglican Diocese of Manicaland Province has long announced its intentions to privatise six schools — namely St Faith’s High, St David’s Bonda Girls’ High, St Augustine’s High, St Mary’s Magdalene, St Anne’s Goto, and St Mathias Tsonzo.
The churches argue that privatisation will improve learning standards, generate funds to upgrade infrastructure, and enhance staff retention through competitive salaries.
However, this shift may have adverse implications, including increased school fees, which could disadvantage children from poorer backgrounds within their vicinities.
The move has been met with reservations and resistance from some quarters who feel that the church has to remain part of the education ecosystem which is inclusive.
Zimbabwe Rural Teachers’ Union president, Mr Martin Chaburumunda said the church should go back to the drawing board and reflect on the reasons why these mission centres were set up in the first place.
“Historically, mission schools which began to run in 20th century were established for local populations, with missionaries interested in evangelising to the locals. Hospitals and clinics too were established for the benefit of the local populace. This was the general trend among the major denominations which established these institutions.
“Now it appears they have turned full circle. Most churches are now behaving strangely and opposed to the original set up of mission schools. Churches now appear only hungry for money as opposed to educating the communities they operate in. Schools have now turned into businesses. They should not abandon their role of partnering Government in the provision of education,” said Mr Chaburumunda.
Former teacher and trade unionist, Mr Charles Musembwa said privatisation of existing schools was tantamount to commercialisation of education and advocated for churches to start completely new private schools and let the current status quo intact.
“On paper this sounds brilliant, but if the truth be said, it is quite disastrous. Mission schools since their establishment have been providing education to the less privileged, low to medium income earners. Privatisation comes with high school fees which is unaffordable to many.
“Schools that were private before this wave of privatisation have lived to their standards, but those doing it now have their standards gone down in academic performance. It is a fact that the privatisation issue is driven by greedy and self-aggrandizement, and it is tantamount to the commercialisation of education beyond the reach of many. The noble thing is for the churches to establish completely new private schools,” said Mr Musembwa.
A pastor, who wished to remain anonymous, citing protocol, expressed concerns about the trend of privatising mission schools.
He suggested that religious organisations should explore alternative revenue streams beyond schools.
The pastor noted that the current Responsible Authority levies provide a more stable income than the uncertain profits from privatised schools.
“The demand for boarding schools has increased, but instead of privatising existing schools, churches should focus on building more missions. Churches receive significant income from mission schools, and not all private schools are profitable. We have seen churches running private schools with teachers’ salaries well below those in the public sector. Ten percent of an elephant is better than 100 percent of a hare. This wave of privatisation won’t last, and I predict that churches that resist privatisation will emerge as winners,” said the pastor.
Roman Catholic Church Diocese of Mutare Education Secretary, Mr Lawrence Chibvuri clarified that Marist Nyanga High School, although Catholic, is not directly run by the church.
“Marist Nyanga High is a Catholic school which is run by the Marist Brothers, so they are the best to respond to your questions with regard to that (reasons for privatisation). Marist Bothers are the owners of that school although it is a Catholic school. As the secretary, I don’t think I am competent to answer in the absence of Marist Brothers themselves,” he said
In a public statement, the Marist Brothers Nyanga Board of Governors announced that the school will transition to a private institution by 2027, cautioning prospective parents to carefully consider the implications of this change.
“We would like to inform you that Nyanga High School Marist Bothers, which is currently a Public Mission School is expected to transition into a private school within two years. This change in status will have significant implications. We urge you to carefully consider the consequences before making any decisions regarding enrolment at Nyanga High School Marist Brothers,” reads the statement.
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