Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Warns Schools Against Turning Away Pupils Over School Fees

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education warns schools against turning away pupils over school fees

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo has warned schools from turning away pupils over school fees citing violation of fundamental rights of a learner.

Minister Moyo said this yesterday while addressing school heads in Bulawayo at St Columbus High School During a recent presentation at St. Columba’s High School on January 25, 2024.

He suggested that schools should find ways of collecting fees and engage debt collectors to demand payment from the parent or guardian who owes the school.

He said, “Find ways of collective fees. Engage debt collectors and a debt collector will not demand any payment from you, from the school.

Paying Tuition Fees

“They will demand payment from the parent or guardian who owes the school. What we don’t want is for you to embarrass our learners,” added the Minister.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education also addressed the issue of school fees and the need for parents and guardians to pay school fees for their children on time.

“It is an obligation for the parents and guardians that they pay school fees for their children,” he stated.

He revealed that the Ministry has safety nets at disposal in the form of grants in aid for disadvantaged children in the most rural districts like Gokwe North, Binga, and Lupane.

Collecting Fees

The Minister also raised concern that delay in the payment of school fees and levies means that operations in schools will come to a halt and will come to a standstill. The Ministry does not want learners to be embarrassed and suggested that schools find ways of collecting fees without embarrassing learners.

“Delay in the payment of school fees and levies means that operations in schools will come to a halt and will come to a standstill,” he highlighted.

Besides the issue of payment of fees, the Minister also advised schools to register the most disadvantaged children for BEAM so that they also enjoy their rights to education.