The Minister of Education, Honorable T. Moyo, has strongly criticized schools demanding fees exclusively in US dollars, describing such actions as a blatant violation of Zimbabwe’s multi-currency policy.
Speaking on the matter, he emphasized that schools are obligated to accept payments in any legal currency brought by parents or guardians, including the Zimbabwean ZiG, gold coins, or US dollars.
He stated that such defiance of the law will not be tolerated, as the policy is designed to accommodate the diverse financial situations of citizens. Hon. Moyo cited a recent incident involving Shingai Primary School in Chitungwiza, where reports had surfaced that the school was demanding fees solely in US dollars.
Upon investigation, it was found that the school was indeed accepting multiple currencies, but the payment process was hampered by operational challenges, including having only one point-of-sale (POS) machine, which resulted in long queues.
To address this, the ministry directed the school to provide additional machines to streamline the process and ensure that parents could pay using their preferred currencies without difficulty. The minister reiterated that the government is prepared to take strict action against schools found defying the multi-currency policy.
Measures under Statutory Instrument 1 of 2000 will be enforced, which include charging the school authorities and suspending headmasters for up to 90 days. He stressed that these penalties are intended to uphold fairness and protect parents from undue financial strain.
Hon. Moyo also addressed the issue of extra lessons, reminding schools and teachers that such activities are not permitted on school premises. He clarified that teachers conducting extra lessons should do so outside their designated schools to prevent bias towards students who can afford additional fees.
The minister concluded by urging parents to report any violations of these regulations, assuring them that swift action would be taken to maintain fairness and inclusivity in the education sector.
