'Zimbabwe schools disregard children's rights'

A non-governmental organisation working for the promotion of children's rights yesterday said their offices were flooded with queries from parents whose children had their "O" and "A" Level examination results withheld.

Justice for Children programmes director Caleb Mtandwa said it was sad to note that children continued to suffer as schools disregarded the rights of children to education.

Mtandwa said they were now aware of many cases of schools that were denying students their results. Each year, Justice for Children receives cases of children being denied their examination results.

They have helped these children by engaging the school authorities to explain the law. Some schools have taken heed of their advice to sue the parents or guardians and release the results.

They have also encouraged the parents to make arrangements with the schools for payment plans, Mtandwa said. He said his organisation was lobbying government to domesticate international treaties it has signed on Rights of Children