Story by Tafara Chikumira
GOVERNMENT is set to embark on a massive clampdown of unregistered schools as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education moves in to sanitise the education sector.
This emerged during an assessment tour of the education sector by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable Torerai Moyo in Gokwe North District where he interacted with stakeholders on issues affecting the sector.
There is an influx of unregistered private schools compromising the quality of education across the country.
“Our ministry has observed that there has been the proliferation of private schools which are mushrooming everywhere in high density suburbs, low density suburbs, in villages we hear someone say I now have a school. A school must be registered that is the requirement. Our ministry is the regulator we register schools. So let me warn those who are operating the schools illegally that a time will come when we will close all these unregistered schools. The problem is you find learners mushroomed in a very tiny room where respiratory problems will affect our learners. That is not good at all,” said Honourable Moyo.
Turning to the issue of non-payment of fees, Honourable Moyo warned schools against withholding examination results.
“We have instruments in place to deal with those defying schools which continue turning away learners on the basis of non-payment of levies and tuitions. I am not saying learners should not pay tuition and levies. Parents must pay and pay on time. For those who meet challenges, let us make some payment plans. Ladies and gentlemen, you are supposed to release results for those candidates who set for public examinations. Because the school does not have a contract with a learner in terms of administration of examination it is the issue between the learner and ZIMSEC and thus the policy position.”
The government’s stance comes after disturbing reports of schools withholding results over fee arrears, while other schools are going against government policy by turning away learners over non-payment of fees.
