Private schools behaving badly
Private schools are not exempt from the Education Act although some act like they are. The Education Act does not apply only to government schools but to all schools which operate in Zimbabwe regardless of their classification and what they call themselves- academies, private, non-government, independent or mission schools.
The Act also applies to unregistered schools for the reason that registration is compulsory. Many schools are not registered, meaning they operate illegally and would be closed down if the Education ministry was doing its job. Illegal schools include some very big schools with big people’s names and big church funding behind them including many American education system schools which have gained popularity in recent years. It is irresponsible for parents and guardians to enrol their charges at unregistered schools as it is for the Education ministry to allow illegal schools or those that do not comply with the Act to continue operating unabated.
A lot of shenanigans are happening in the schooling system and for a long time, the Education ministry for different reasons has turned a blind eye to them. The proliferation of non-government schools in the past two decades has led to irregular relaxation of some of the laws regarding school standards. It is true that the government failed in one of its key responsibilities to provide basic education and good quality schools and so private schools of various forms stepped up to bridge the gap.
Private schools have gone a long way in providing good quality education and facilities where the government failed horribly. However, not all entrepreneurs who entered the education industry went into it with genuine motives. Many simply set up schools for the money because they had the capital and right connections in government. Many such schools operate outside the provisions of the Education Act but the Ministry allows them to continue as if they do not know they exist.
For some schools, the only thing that matters is coaching pupils to get good academic grades to the detriment of the long term effects and welfare beyond school life. No attempt is made to provide a balanced curriculum and extracurricular activities which provide balance and instil solid values and selfconfidence for life beyond school. Obedience to rules and good grades are the only goals.
However, much more goes into education than regurgitation of textbook facts and attaining top exam marks.
It is a fact that the said individuals broke the law in that we have lockdown regulations that prohibit demonstrations. So these individuals are wanted by the police so that they can be interviewed on why they broke the law— Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi
It is a legal requirement for private schools as much as government schools to have a constituted body of parents and teachers called a School Development Council. For the sake of emphasis Chapter 36 is quoted here verbatim
School Parents Assembly and School Development Committee
(1) Parents or guardians with children at any school shall constitute a School Parents Assembly.
(2) The responsible authority of any registered school shall cause the School Parents Assembly to establish a School Development Committee.
(3) The composition, functions, duties, procedure and powers of the School Development Committee shall be as contained in the constitution of the School Parents Assembly:
Provided that where the School Parents Assembly has not made a constitution satisfactory to the Minister, the composition, functions, duties, procedure and powers of the School Development Committee, shall be as prescribed.
It has become fashionable for many private schools to do away with School Development Committees as if it is optional. Parents and guardians are forced to sign away their rights over the welfare of their children for the time they are enrolled in the schools. The schools operate under a strict take it or leave it system as if they are not subject to the laws of the land. Many of the culprits call themselves “So and So group of
He (Wadyajena) was looking for a transport contract because the chairman of the Lands and Agriculture Committee has a transport company. That is why we said he must be recused from chairing because he is conflicted. — Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe chairman Tafadzwa Musarara schools” after the fashion of one wellestablished school which must now be cringing at the dungeons to which the catch phrase has fallen. Taking away parents’ rights over their children’s welfare is manifestly illegal.
The natural rights and obligations that parents and legal guardians have over their children cannot be taken away even by consent. Parents can only give schools provisional in loco parentis rights, but the rights are not total or permanent. Parents and guardians have vested permanent interests in the welfare and outcomes of their children so they cannot give up their rights without a court order.
Schools take advantage of the ignorance and desperation of parents to enrol their children with them but this is dangerous. The danger manifests its ugly head when physical and sexual abuse happens. In the absence of a parents’ body, individual parents feel helpless without a united voice with which to address common concerns to hold schools to account.
It is only when things go wrong that parents realise the importance of having a properly constituted parents’ body as legally prescribed. Legal statutes are remembered only when things turn sour.
The Act prescribes that all schools undergo initial and continuous physical inspections of their premises and facilities including all buildings, sports grounds, laboratories, boarding hostels and ablutions.
The school finances should be assessed and certified as adequate for the type of tuition to be offered in regard to the prospective numbers, ages and sex of the pupils.
The schools must satisfy their potential ability to provide efficient and adequate instruction for their enrolment. The ministry, individual schools, parents and guardians should all comply with the law and ensure that at least the minimum prescribed standards in the Act are met.
Failure to do this means only more degradation of school standards and more reports of abuse of pupils. Education needs to come out of the hands of just anyone with cash to set up a school and be in the hands of people or institutions with a genuine understanding of education.
Miriam Tose Majome is a lawyer at Veritas and she writes in her personal capacity. She can be contacted on mtmajome@gmail.com and Twitter @MajomeMiriam.
When we freeze some accounts on mobile money platforms, it is not that we are hurting mobile money platforms, but we are trying to exorcise the demon because it is more of a Sodom and Gomorrah situation
— Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya
Believers are always called to remain focused and determined in a world that's bend on tempting and enticing them to surrender God’s precious call on their lives. It is always the trick of the devil to solicit Christians to look unto themselves instead of looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith, that is, the Christian faith. Satan knows that the moment a believer diverts trust from God to her/ himself, she/he automatically falls from grace. She/he starts murmuring and sees God as an inconsiderate and uncaring being.
However, the Bible clearly reveals that God is a very caring Father. We’re under divine canopy of care, comfort, provision and protection. Our welfare is guaranteed in the capable and tender hands of our loving Father.
Christianity is total reliance on God the Father. We don’t take matters into our hands, but we are instruments of God’s matters. Please always remember that you’re a vessel of divine programme. Believers are called believers because they believe in the ability and reliability of God. They look not unto themselves, but unto God being sufficient in God, not in themselves. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 put it thus: “[4] And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: [5] Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.” We have so much trust in God that we don’t shake, sulk or throw tantrums. Believers know that they don’t have to carry the weight of things God is carrying for them in Christ. Why would we stagger beneath the weight which our Father won’t even feel? We are in Christ who is God’s Sabbath.
God, our Father, is Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides. He is a responsible and caring Father. It will be futile to try to provide for the provider who is our sufficiency and provision. The God of providence who feeds the sparrows which are of less value than you, will furnish you with what you need. Jesus taught in Matthew 10:29-31: “[29] Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. [30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” God knows every strand of hair on your head. You’re valuable. He humbled Himself to save or redeem us as He came in the form of humanity, Jesus Christ. You will live a peaceful life and enjoy the finished work of Jesus Christ if you refrain from providing to the God of providence. If you work then God rests, but if you rest, God’s grace works for you.
Believers cast their burden upon Christ. They are in Christ and cannot, therefore, keep on carrying burdens.
Every burden that comes up should be cast or forwarded to Him. 1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified), admonishes: “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” Notice that the Bible here says once and for all. What is heavy load to women and men of flesh is just like dust in the scales of God. If God cares for you, why should you worry? As a believer, you trusted Him for your soul. In the same vein please trust Him for your body. Let all your concerns be in His hands.
Whatever momentary tribulation you may experience, please never doubt God’s grace. Always seek understanding and surrender and enjoy His will. In situations that may appear hopeless, never despair. He won’t abandon you. He assured us in Hebrews 13:5: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” You are not alone and you’re not forsaken.
We don’t doubt Him and His Word. Through knowledge, we hold on to the manifestation of His promises in us. The faith of Abraham is good for our learning. Romans 4:18-21 records: “[18] Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. [19] And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb: [20] He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; [21] And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” God is able, trust Him. You are secure under His care and you are shielded by God’s wings.
In the Amplified Bible, Proverbs 3:5 instructs, “Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding." Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge
All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.
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