Government cracks down on schools chasing away pupils
PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister, Honourable Torerai Moyo, has warned school heads against sending children home over non-payment of fees, stressing that such conduct is illegal and undermines the smooth opening of schools.
Speaking to headmasters from Manicaland Province yesterday afternoon, Minister Moyo emphasised that headmasters, School Development Committees, and Responsible Authorities have no right to deny learners their constitutional right to education.
He urged schools to pursue outstanding fees through debt collectors rather than punishing children.
“Ordinary Level results are coming out very soon, and I am aware that some headmasters may be tempted to withhold results from defaulting learners. That practice is illegal. No learner should be denied his or her right to education because of non-payment of fees. As we speak, there is a school headmaster in Kadoma who has been charged for chasing away learners over fees arrears. Such actions are against the standing position and policy of Government,” said Minister Moyo.
Earlier in the day, the minister officially handed over Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices to St Michael’s Mambo Primary School in Buhera.
The donation, sourced from UNICEF, included eight laptops, seven projectors, and twenty tablets.
Minister Moyo said the Government remains committed to bridging the rural–urban technology divide.
“The Government’s efforts under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s guidance are bridging the digital and infrastructure gap in rural areas. Initiatives aimed at expanding access to technology and improving infrastructure are transforming the educational landscape, empowering rural communities with essential tools for a brighter future,” he said.
Minister Moyo also toured selected schools in Buhera District on the opening day of the term to assess conditions and ensure a smooth start to the academic year. — _*ManicaPost*_
