Parents urged to pay fees

PARENTS should discard the culture of not paying fees for their children and then expect schools to produce sterling academic results without resources, a minister has said.

The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo told guests at a fundraising dinner at Mpopoma High School on Saturday that schools were hamstrung by lack of finances because most parents were unwilling to pay fees.

She said it was disappointing to note that more than half of the 2,000 plus pupils at Mpopoma High School were yet to pay fees. "Schools can't achieve notable developments without finances. No development can go on in a school if there are no finances. One would expect that pupils whose number is in excess of 2,000 can pool resources and bring amazing developments," she said.

"It puts undue pressure on school authorities who've nowhere to turn. I'd like to encourage parents to be supportive and fulfil their mandate and pay for their children's education. This will enable schools to run properly and make necessary development."

Minister Moyo said failure to pay fees was incapacitating schools' development saying a school the size of Mpopoma should not be facing an "outrageous" water bill of $78,000.

"Non payment of fees has ripple effects in a number of areas. The labs are in a state of dilapidation because there's no financial support. There can't be meaningful and proper earning in poorly equipped labs. Worse, a school can't run without water. The bill that we heard about is a shocker and warrants termination of supplies. But where will our children run to in the event of disconnection," said Minister Moyo.

She said although the country is facing economic challenges that does not excuse parents from paying fees.

The school was fundraising to build a single storey Advanced Level computer laboratory, renovating the staff room, upgrading the library among other developments.

Minister Moyo urged former Mpopoma High School students to chip in and assist the school in raising funds. The dinner was attended by the War Veterans Minister Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube who together with Lobengula MP Maideyi Mpala donated 10,000 bricks for the project while Menzi Bricks donated 5,000.

The Deputy Minister Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Tapiwa Matangaidze pledged to donate a consignment of 'A' Level science textbooks.

Some parents appear to be taking advantage of a High Court ruling that bars schools from excluding pupils from lessons for not paying fees.

Last week Primary and Secondary Minister Lazarus Dokora said only boarding schools are allowed to send children home for not paying fees.