Schools Ordered to Reveal Fees as Govt Cracks Down on Hidden Charges
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has directed all public schools to display approved tuition fees, School Development Association (SDA) levies, and local currency bank account numbers at their administration blocks.
Issued at the start of the third term, the directive aims to curb illegal fee hikes and hidden charges that have financially burdened parents.
School heads who fail to comply may face disciplinary action, including formal misconduct charges under ministry regulations.
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Torerayi Moyo announced that district-level monitoring units have been deployed to ensure schools comply and to respond to complaints from parents.
“The ministry has strict measures to prevent overcharging by schools. For a start, all fees must be approved by the (Permanent) Secretary, having been agreed upon by parents. Schools must comply with approved structures,” he stated.
The enforcement strategy includes mandatory public display of fee breakdowns and the ZiG account number at each school’s administration block.
Some schools have been accused of imposing unauthorised levies, introducing hidden costs, and forcing parents to fund unapproved projects.
“Our enforcement measures include district-level monitoring units to address complaints. Penalties include having the school head charged for misconduct, among others,” he warned.
The Government has reinforced its ban on paid-for extra lessons and entrance examinations for Form One enrolment.
“Form One entrance examinations are outlawed. Offending schools risk deregistration, and private paid-for extra lessons by teachers are prohibited,” Moyo emphasised.
He urged parents to report any violations and noted that command centres have been established at all levels to handle complaints.
Extra lessons and entrance exams were outlawed due to the financial burden they place on families.
The Government maintains that no child should be denied access to education because of unauthorised costs.
Moyo encouraged school authorities to focus on preparing learners for end-of-year public examinations to improve the national pass rate.
“Past papers, revision guides and digital materials are available on ministry portals, and counselling and motivational sessions are provided to learners. We are happy that Zimsec ensures secure exam administration and timely distribution of materials,” he added.
According to The Sunday Mail, the Ministry has made significant progress in rolling out the Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC), introduced at the beginning of the academic year.
The curriculum emphasizes Zimbabwean culture, practical skills, and innovation.
Primary education now focuses on six core areas: Indigenous Languages, English Language, Science and Technology, Mathematics, Social Science, and Physical Education and Arts.
Moyo confirmed that teachers have received adequate training to implement the new curriculum.
“The ministry is prioritising teacher capacity to ensure effective implementation. Intensive training workshops, mentorship programmes and subject-specific panels are being conducted for professional development,” he explained.
Updated syllabi and digital resources are expected to be distributed to all schools by the end of 2025.
To support the curriculum transition, ministry officials have been conducting school visits, hosting webinars, and creating platforms for public engagement.
These efforts aim to ensure compliance and foster community support for educators.
The Government’s position remains firm: schools must operate within approved guidelines, and financial barriers must not block any child’s right to education.
