Schools demand USD fees
PARENTS in Manicaland are up in arms with school authorities who are demanding school fees and tuition exclusively in foreign currency, arguing that the burdensome demand creates a formidable barrier to their children’s right to education, The Manica Post can reveal.
Most schools in the province, including Government institutions, are demanding school fees and tuition exclusively in USD and denying parents and guardians a chance to pay in local currency at the prevailing bank rate.
A survey conducted by The Manica Post revealed that Kriste Mambo High School is demanding US$520, St Augustine’s High school (US$400), Marange High School (US$320) and John Cowie Primary School (US$350); with all the institutions’ charges varying marginally depending on the learner’s level and practical subjects.
Nyazura High School is demanding US$150 plus $45 000, while Mavhudzi High School wants US$350 or the local currency equivalence for US$375.
While schools argue that their demand arises out of the need to hedge against inflation, the move to deny payment in local currency is illegal and parents are arguing that such demands discriminate against learners from poor backgrounds who cannot afford the foreign currency payments.
Some human rights groups have also weighed in and are arguing that the foreign currency school fees will have a disproportionate impact on girls as some parents still value their daughters’ education less and are, therefore, less willing to pay for it.
Learners are also required to buy school uniforms, exercise books, textbooks, smart phones and data, thereby adding extra expenses for the parents.
Speaking to The Manica Post in separate interviews, some of the parents called on Government to intervene.
“This means my child will not attend class on Monday because I do not have the hard currency which is being demanded by the school,” said a parent of a child at St Augustine’s High.
St Augustine’s High School headmaster, Reverend Sydney Chirombe, in a recent notice to parents, ruled out the option of payment plans for those who are unable to pay the third term fees in full.
“It’s now back to school again! Only paid up learners will be admitted. Screening will take place at the boom gate. Please have your receipts on the day of coming to school. Parents and guardians are to pay school fees at the bank and not at school. We encourage parents and guardians to pay Term 3, 2022 school fees in USD. For term 3, 2022, it’s US$400. There is no payment plan for Term 3, 2022. Make sure you have paid your top-up and current fees,” he stated.
The school is also charging a teacher retention allowance of US$20 and a onceoff projects fees of US$75.
“These are also part of payments falling under the fees clearance process before learners are accepted into their respective dormitories. We have updated these payments with the statement of fees, so you can verify with the bursar for clarity,” he said.
However, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Mr Taungana Ndoro said the demands are illegal as no school should charge fees and tuitions exclusively in foreign currency.
“The Government policy position is that fees must be paid in local currency. However, if parents have free funds in foreign currency they can pay at the prevailing interbank rate, but schools must not force any parent to pay in foreign currency.
“All institutions providing primary and secondary education services are reminded that they fall under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and are, therefore, bound by the procedures to be followed when making school fees adjustments; that is to say, approval must be granted by the ministry before any adjustments are made,” said Mr Ndoro.
He said parents are a good barometer in monitoring the directive, while Government authorities like the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) are there to investigate school authorities who are violating Government directives.
On Grade Sevens, Mr Ndoro said learners will continue going to school after the completion of their exams to acquire life skills under the guidance of the teachers, hence there is no justification for a pro-rata fees payment plan.
“As for Grade Seven exams, schools and parents are advised that teaching and learning will continue after their final examinations until schools close in December 2022,” he said.
Zimbabwe Rural Teachers’ Union (ZRTU) president, Mr Martin Chaburumunda said the country’s multi-currency system is now being abused by schools.
“Considering that most parents earn local currency, the move will burden the already struggling parents and this may definitely increase the number of school drop-outs, especially in rural areas where most parents cannot afford the fees. It is the right of every child in Zimbabwe to go to school and get proper education.
“Government, through banks, should chip in and assist schools to access USD at the interbank rate so that they can manage to meet their operational costs.,” said Mr Chaburumunda.
National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) president, Mr Arthur Maphosa implored school heads, as accounting officers, to interpret Government policies correctly to avoid being found on the wrong side of the law.
“Demanding school fees exclusively in foreign currency is illegal and no school should do that. When we lobbied Government in June, we did not say fees must be paid in foreign currency. No. We only lobbied to have them benchmarked against the USD with an option to pay the equivalence at the existing bank rate so as to arrest inflation.
“School heads must interpret this position correctly, otherwise they will get themselves in trouble for failing to advise their School Development Committees accordingly. Benchmarking fees against the USD is not the same as exclusively demanding fees in foreign currency, and therefore schools must allow parents to pay with the currency they have at their disposal,” said Mr Maphosa.
National Association for School Development Committees (NASDC) official, Mr Ranganai Mupakati said the poor will be marginalised if schools are not brought back in line.
“Government should rein in those bent on sabotaging the economy. We need a monitoring mechanism in place. Penalties proposed are also not deterrent enough,” he said.