News / National
School girl given results after ZimRights intervenes
02 Mar 2016 at 05:48hrs | Views
The ZimRights has indicated that through its intervantion a 16-year old school girl, who had her Ordinary Level (O' Level) results withheld by a high school in the city of Masvingo on account of outstanding learning fees, managed to finally see her impressive school results.
The girl who scooped 10 A's at a High School located in Masvingo had her results kept secret by the school for failing to pay an amount of US $ 750.00 that remained outstanding on her school fees.
The girl's father, Jerimanos* approached ZimRights, which through its legal division wrote a letter of demand to the school dated 22 February 2016.
"Our client further advised us that he made a payment of US$800 on the 19th of February 2016 and requested for a payment plan with regards to the remaining US$750 to which you turned a deaf ear," the letter read in part.
"We find this act on your part unlawful and unconstitutional. The issue of the illegality of withholding pupils' results so as to force their parents or guardians to pay School fees is unquestionable and cannot be subject to debate.
"It is common cause that the issue of tuition or levy is an issue between the School and the parent as there exists a contract between yourselves and Jerimanos … being the parent …for payment of fees."
After the intervention in the form of the letter copied to the District Education officer and Provincial Education Officer, the school agreed to a payment plan of two to three months that the parent had initially proposed.
ZimRights had notified the school of its willingness to further legal action were the school authorities to ignore its communication.
Most parents are struggling with the effects of the economic challenges, making it hard for them to readily pay their children's school fees although they desire a quality education for their children.
The school released the results on the same day, which showed that the girl qualified to proceed with her Advanced Level (A-Level) studies at the same school.
Children below the age of 18 are regarded as minors in Zimbabwe, who cannot enter into legally binding contractual agreements.
ZimRights has always contended that school pupils must not be held liable for failure by their parents to meet their part the fees agreement with schools.
Jerimanos's surname and name of school have been omitted.
The girl who scooped 10 A's at a High School located in Masvingo had her results kept secret by the school for failing to pay an amount of US $ 750.00 that remained outstanding on her school fees.
The girl's father, Jerimanos* approached ZimRights, which through its legal division wrote a letter of demand to the school dated 22 February 2016.
"Our client further advised us that he made a payment of US$800 on the 19th of February 2016 and requested for a payment plan with regards to the remaining US$750 to which you turned a deaf ear," the letter read in part.
"We find this act on your part unlawful and unconstitutional. The issue of the illegality of withholding pupils' results so as to force their parents or guardians to pay School fees is unquestionable and cannot be subject to debate.
"It is common cause that the issue of tuition or levy is an issue between the School and the parent as there exists a contract between yourselves and Jerimanos … being the parent …for payment of fees."
After the intervention in the form of the letter copied to the District Education officer and Provincial Education Officer, the school agreed to a payment plan of two to three months that the parent had initially proposed.
ZimRights had notified the school of its willingness to further legal action were the school authorities to ignore its communication.
Most parents are struggling with the effects of the economic challenges, making it hard for them to readily pay their children's school fees although they desire a quality education for their children.
The school released the results on the same day, which showed that the girl qualified to proceed with her Advanced Level (A-Level) studies at the same school.
Children below the age of 18 are regarded as minors in Zimbabwe, who cannot enter into legally binding contractual agreements.
ZimRights has always contended that school pupils must not be held liable for failure by their parents to meet their part the fees agreement with schools.
Jerimanos's surname and name of school have been omitted.
Source - Byo24News
