Parliament Considers Criminalizing School Fee Non-Payment
Addressing delegates at the 2024 National Association of Secondary Heads (Nash) annual conference, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo called for collective action from schools to address the issue of unpaid fees and levies. Minister Moyo expressed concern over parents exploiting government policy to avoid fee payments, which he argued was impacting school operations.
Minister Moyo emphasized that while schools are not permitted to turn away students due to unpaid fees, the persistent non-payment by some parents poses significant challenges.
“Fees and levies should be paid in full before schools open,” Minister Moyo asserted, urging parents to fulfill their financial obligations responsibly.
Acknowledging the complexities faced by families, Minister Moyo highlighted the availability of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) as a safety net for disadvantaged children. However, he urged parents facing difficulties to engage with school authorities to devise feasible payment plans instead of relying on policy protections.
In response to grievances raised by school heads regarding the financial strain caused by unpaid fees, Minister Moyo suggested a proactive approach. “I urged representatives of Naph and Nash to consider petitioning Parliament to criminalize non-payment of school fees and levies,” he announced.
The conference, themed “Fighting drug and substance abuse: the head as a frontline leader,” concluded today in Victoria Falls, addressing critical issues affecting Zimbabwean education. Minister Moyo’s remarks signal a potential shift towards legislative measures to ensure sustainable funding for educational institutions amidst financial challenges.
