Teachers resort to only teaching pupils who paid for extra lessons

Reports from parts of Harare indicate that some teachers at some schools were now resorting to concentrating in teaching children who attended extra lessons during the holidays amid concerns by parents that those who had no money typo pay for the extra lessons will fail the examinations.

Harare Residents Trust indicated that parents with children attending primary school at Unit L, Seke (Seke 13, Tafadzwa and St Aidain's in Chitungwiza say their teachers are now prioritising teaching only those pupils who attend their extra-lessons during normal teaching times.

"Those whose parents fail to pay for their extra-lessons spent most of the class time playing outside the classroom or in the classroom, without being attended to. It is further alleged that the teachers charge two dollars for the extra lessons per day," the trust said.

"During examinations, it is alleged that they give higher marks to only those pupils who attend their extra lessons, a scenario that is likely to affect the pupils more in the event of them moving from the same school, or failing to pay for extra lessons."

The trust said the rights of children should not be compromised because teachers have their own grievances with their employer.