Some schools demanding second term fees

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Some schools in Zimbabwe, government-owned and private are reportedly demanding second term fees from learners although schools were closed since March.

The Herald reports that parents and guardians of Grade 7 learners at Zengeza Main Primary School were on Monday ordered to start paying $300 for the second term and another $300 for the third term or an equivalent of US$6 for the two combined terms.

The parents were further advised to pay US$2 for hand sanitisers or an equivalent of $200.

The government had directed schools not to demand second term fees since learners were forced by the coronavirus to stay home during the period that had been scheduled for the second term.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail, the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema said:

The official school calendar was Term One. So, there was no Term Two in the first place, and the Government position is that no school must therefore demand fees for a term that was not announced and approved by Government.

Some schools, especially the private-owned, say that although the second term was scrapped off the school calendar this year, money was needed for taking care of administrative issues.

Schools have on several occasions defied government directives to do with the increase and payment of fees. They argue that the skyrocketing inflation is giving them no choice.

The government authorised the reopening of schools in phases starting on the 28th of this month at the backdrop of a decrease in the number of recorded coronavirus cases in the country.

–The Herald