Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister, Honourable Torerai Moyo, has issued a stern warning to individuals operating unregistered boarding houses for learners, stressing that such arrangements violate standing circulars which require learners to be housed in proper facilities under the care of qualified personnel.
Manicaland Province has long grappled with the problem of so-called “bush boarding” facilities, particularly in Buhera, Mutare, Mutasa, and Makoni districts. In both rural and urban areas, some individuals have been converting private homes into boarding houses to accommodate learners attending nearby schools. These makeshift facilities have been widely blamed for fuelling juvenile delinquency, including early sexual activity, child marriages, and drug and substance abuse.
Unlike registered boarding schools, these informal facilities are not supervised by trained staff, leaving minors exposed to neglect and exploitation.
The operators’ motives are often financial, with little regard for the welfare or safety of the children in their care.
Speaking on the sidelines of his engagement with headmasters from across Manicaland at Mutare Boys’ High School on Tuesday, Minister Moyo said the Government is prioritising the construction of low-cost boarding facilities to provide safe and affordable accommodation for learners.
He urged communities to report unregistered boarding houses to law enforcement authorities.
He emphasised that the safety of learners, both within and outside school premises, remains a top priority for his ministry.
“In line with the National Development Strategy (NDS2), the Government is heavily engaged in the provision of low-cost housing for schools. We have noticed that learners travelling long distances to school are disadvantaged, and we are encouraging school authorities and development committees to construct affordable boarding facilities. Boarding fees must be accessible to every learner,” he said.
Minister Moyo reiterated that unofficial boarding arrangements are illegal.
“We do not have a policy that allows bush boarding facilities. All our learners, from primary up to Upper Six, must be accommodated in proper boarding facilities. Whoever decides to provide bush boarding or rent out a house to learners without a boarding master or matron is breaking the law. If we hear of any cases, we will take action against the schools or individuals involved. These practices are against our circulars, and we need information on such illegal facilities so that we can act,” he warned.
He further noted that the initiative aligns with the Government’s Vision 2030 and NDS2, which emphasise e-justice and improved service delivery across all sectors. “This process is aimed at enhancing justice delivery and ensuring that access to education is safe and simple for all learners. We expect full cooperation from stakeholders because this transformation is for the benefit of the children,” Minister Moyo added.
Addressing school heads in Manicaland, Minister Moyo revealed that Zimbabwe is facing a deficit of 1 800 schools.
He said the Government is working to close this gap through the construction of new schools, and urged churches as well as private players to invest in the education sector.
“Last year, the Government managed to build around 127 new schools across the country. In Shamva District alone, 16 new schools were constructed through efforts by the Government, churches, and private investors. However, we still face a huge deficit. We are supposed to construct 1 800 new schools in both urban and rural areas. In urban centres, we are targeting new residential areas where learners currently travel long distances to attend school.
“If a learner travels more than five kilometers, it is against international conventions and treaties. In rural and underserved areas, some learners are walking up to 15 kilometers. We have identified these areas for new school construction. We are inviting partners to come on board because Zimbabwe is open for business,” said Minister Moyo.
He also cautioned school authorities against exploiting parents by overcharging for uniforms, stressing that parents are free to procure uniforms from the open market if they find prices more affordable.
Minister Moyo censured two mission schools in Makoni and Mutasa districts for over-enrolling learners, which has led to overcrowding.
He further criticised another mission school in Mutasa for collecting thousands of dollars from parents for uniforms, but delivering only a few items after complaints.
“While we encourage schools to embark on projects such as beekeeping, goat rearing, fish farming, crop cultivation, horticulture, or uniform manufacturing, they must not rip off parents. Most schools are doing well in this regard, but some are charging far more than retail shops. Uniforms are now cheaper in shops than at some schools. If your school manufactures uniforms and wants learners to buy them, that is commendable, but the price must be competitive.
“One school in Rusape blocked learners from Harare who came wearing the correct uniform because it had not been purchased at the school. The learners were only allowed back after our intervention. Another school in Mutasa collected money from Form One learners, but failed to provide uniforms, leaving parents frustrated. I also urge schools not to over-enrol learners, as happened in Rusape and Mutasa, where headmasters, Responsible Authorities, and School Development Committee chairpersons conducted parallel recruitments of Form Ones, resulting in overcrowding,” said Minister Moyo.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza—represented by Mr Joseph Mashingaidze from his office—encouraged headmasters to safeguard learners during the rainy season to prevent drowning incidents.
Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Richard Gabaza, added that his office is working tirelessly to improve the teaching and learning environment in order to achieve better pass rates for learners.
