Schools resist holiday lessons ban

THE Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education directive banning holiday lessons faces imminent resistance from schools, amid indications that a number of institutions had invited pupils in examination classes to attend holiday lessons at a fee.

A survey conducted has shown that a number of schools in Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and Midlands provinces have set out a two-week holiday lessons calendar which starts tomorrow.

The schools are charging between $10 and $20 per subject for both O and A-level pupils, while some offer boarding facilities which cost more.

This is in spite of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education earlier this month, having warned schools to desist from conducting holiday lessons and allow pupils time to rest after a long term.

Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Professor Paul Mavhima, told our sister paper, Chronicle, that all schools must observe and follow the school calendar.

Schools closed on 6 August and are set to open on 8 September.

"Our current position is that pupils should be given time to rest after being in school for three months.

He said schools that would conduct holiday lessons should be reported.

"This is an administrative issue. If you have names of any specific school that is conducting holiday lessons, contact the area Provincial Education Director (PED). Otherwise, we don't allow pupils to be charged for extra lessons," he said.

Prof Mavhima's remarks are a reiteration of the ministry's ban on holiday lessons imposed last year.

Sunday News has it on good authority that Matopo High School in Matabeleland South province will be conducting their holiday lessons at Coghlan Primary School, while Eveline High School will also be conducting lessons at the school premises in town.

Mpopoma High School in Bulawayo is also set to start their holiday lessons programme tomorrow at the school premises.

Thornhill High School in Gweru is set to start holiday lessons tomorrow, charging pupils $15 per subject. The school is also offering boarding facilities for which pupils will be charged $36.

Roman Catholic church-run Chikwingwizha Seminary near Shurugwi is also set to start its holiday lessons programme tomorrow. Shungu High School in Kwekwe is also set to start conducting lessons during the course of this week.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Sylvia Utete-Masangu declined to comment on the imminent defiance the holiday lessons ban was facing.

She referred all questions to Professor Mavhima.

"Professor Mavhima might be the best person to ask that question," she said in an emailed response.

Professor Mavhima could not be reached for comment, as his mobile phone went unanswered on Friday afternoon.

Last year, the Government banned holiday lessons saying they were being abused by teachers who were no longer teaching during the course of the term and were treating the lessons as a money-making scheme.

Announcing the ban last year, Government said only schools that were disrupted during the school term would be allowed to conduct holiday lessons.

Last year, schools in Tsholotsho district were allowed to conduct holiday lessons after floods disrupted the learning programme as some of the pupils were forced to abandon classes.