Huge school fees hikes to hit parents hard in the pocket
Some schools are proposing huge increases in school fees with many public schools charging as much as $35 000 for boarding, while day schools are looking at pegging levies from $1 000 to $7 000 per term, depending on level and type of school.
The proposed school fees increases come when exchange rates and prices have been stable since the end of June following the introduction of foreign exchange auctions.
The proposed fees increases are premised on the fact that most fees and levies were set in the first term when inflation was still galloping and when schools were closed in March, had not been adjusted and moreover, shops have largely ignored the official exchange rate of US$1: ZWL$81.
National Association of Secondary Heads president Arthur Maposa said there is a strong case for schools to increase fees to remain viable but the hikes should be reasonable.
Meanwhile, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Cain Mathema last week said schools cannot increase fees without following laid down procedures.
Reports indicate that a number of schools have already submitted applications and should receive authority from provincial education directors soon.
–-The Herald
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