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despite Government’s directive not to send pupils home for non-payment of fees.
A snap survey by Chronicle yesterday discovered that some schools had authorities manning the gates to ensure that pupils accessed learning premises after producing receipts as proof of payment.
“We were given strict instructions not to allow anyone into the school premises without producing receipts. The only ones that we are allowing in without receipts are those with money to pay,” said a man who was manning Thomas Rudland Primary School gate.
Some parents who had come to drop their children were forced to drive them back home while those with queries were instructed to proceed to the administration block.
Some of the schools have increased levies reportedly without the consent of parents thereby sparking an outrage.
At Tennyson Hlabangana High School in Hope Fountain, fees were increased by about $50 to $300 while at Waterford Primary School fees for Grade Zeros were increased by $20 this term.
However, at city schools such as Robert Tredgold Primary School, Coghlan Primary School, Eveline Girls High and Gifford Boys High and other schools, classes took off normally.
A parent with a Grade One child at Coghlan revealed that they blocked attempts by the school authorities to increase fees by $20 to $50.
“The School Development Committee (SDC) called for a meeting last term and told parents that they had decided to increase the fees but parents objected to the move,” said the parent.
She said the parents walked out of the meeting in protest and the authorities were forced to shelve the plans to increase the fees.
Contacted for comment, Bulawayo deputy provincial education director Mr Emmanuel Mugomba said schools should not send pupils home for non-payment of fees as the contract was between the school and parents.
“No child should be turned away because it is the parents that should be held responsible for paying the fees.
“According to Government’s regulations, there should be alternative methods to make parents pay school fees,” said Mr Mugomba.
He said they would conduct investigations to ascertain which schools were flouting Government policy.
“We did not receive a report that there are schools that are sending home pupils but we will carry out investigations and ascertain, which ones were flouting Government regulations,” said Mr Mugomba.
Masvingo provincial education director (PED) Ms Clara Dube also said no child should be sent home for non-payment of fees.
She said fees payment was not the responsibility of pupils, but that of parents and guardians.
“The Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture has reiterated that no child should be sent home for not paying fees.
“It is against this background that school authorities should communicate with the child’s parent or guardian instead of depriving the child access to education,” said Ms Dube.
The opening of schools comes amid reports that Government has dispatched a team of auditors to schools countrywide to investigate abuse of levies by headmasters and School Develop Associations (SDA).
Four school heads from Gutu district have so far been charged with fraud and have been sentenced to 18 months in prison each.
Another head from a school in Bikita was said to be on the run after stealing $14 000.
Other school heads who allegedly misused school funds were reportedly leaving their work stations in a huff for fear of arrest.
Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart last week confirmed auditors had begun work at most schools countrywide.
He said those found guilty would be prosecuted and their names would be disclosed after a national audit.
Online Reporter