Pupils barred from exam registration over fees arrears

SCHOOLS in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North are barring pupils from registering for the November Zimsec public examinations demanding that they settle school fees arrears first.

Investigations revealed that at some schools in Bulawayo, school officials are diverting money meant for examination registration to cover the fees arrears and then order the pupils to tell parents to look for the money for examination fees.

Each Ordinary Level subject costs $15 and $26 is needed per Advanced Level subject. Parents who spoke to Sunday News expressed outrage at the conduct of the schools saying it showed that the schools did not care about the education of their children and only wanted their money.

“I had to register my child as a private candidate at another school because they wanted to convert the exam fee to school fees. What pained me is that even after negotiating that I would pay the required school fees in a month’s time they would have none of it. While I agree that we have to pay fees, the schools cannot hold us at ransom by ruining our children’s future, these schools should be considerate,” said a parent who identified himself as Mr Ndlovu.

Another parent said there was need for the Government to come up with a deliberate policy regarding the registration of pupils and ensure schools do not bar pupils from sitting their exams.

“As parents we are not running away from our responsibilities but school authorities should also understand that these are trying times, the money is just not there,” said the parent who declined to be named.

In Matabeleland North parents with children at a secondary school in Umguza District said the school has told them that their children will not be able to register unless they settle their fees arrears. They said most of them were struggling as they were peasant farmers who are still to harvest their crops which they hope to sell and raise the money.

“We do not have the money to cover debts we owe the school, most of us are peasant farmers, the money we have is not enough to clear debts and at the same time pay the exam fees,” said a parent whose son is learning at the school.

He said the focus for most parents was to try and run around to raise the examination fees as the due dates were approaching.

“At least the school can withhold the results and not what they are doing to refuse our kids the chance to register.”

Contacted for comment Chief Ndodo of Mbembesi where the school is located blasted the school for trying to disadvantage people in the community.

“The policy is not fair as the school is said to be diverting exam fees without the concern of the parents. Most of these parents struggle to raise money. Does the school want to under develop the area?,” he said.

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Professor Paul Mavhima said while the move by the schools could be judged as being unfair, the onus was parents to pay school fees as it was the schools fees that helped provide the infrastructure where the school children will use to prepare for the examinations.

“Parents should not be selfish, they should realise that school fees are meant