News / Local
Schools defy Government, turn away pupils over fees
09 May 2017 at 05:39hrs | Views
Several pupils from government and council run schools in both Bulawayo and Harare are being sent home due to non payment of school fees.
Schools opened today for the second term.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Sylvia Utete-Masango told state media that Government policy was against punishing pupils.
"Government policy has not changed and we are not expecting any pupil to be turned away for non-payment of school fees as schools open tomorrow (today)," said Dr Utete-Masango.
However, what is obtaining on the ground is the opposite.
Bulawayo24.com crew saw scores of pupils from Nketa High School and Emganwini High School in Bulawayo as early as 10am returning home.
Last week at Milton Junior School, there where several notices which indicated that no pupil would be allowed to enter school premises without school fees receipts.
Ross Camp Primary in Bulawayo is also turning away pupils.
Said one parent to Bulawayo24.com :"The Government gave an order that no child shall be expelled from school for non payment of school fees.
" The school heads are however not allowing pupils who have not paid entry into the class. One such school that is expelling children from class is Ross camp school that is run by ZRP.
" The headmaster says the Government never gave an instruction to school heads not to expel children for non payment of school fee. She further says the Minister of Education gives orders to school heads in writing and not through the media.
"Right now parents of Ross Camp children who have not paid the fee for their children are queuing at the school head's office signing some affidavits as a promise to pay the fee by specific dates".
Information reaching Bulawayo24.com indicates that Marimba Primary School in Mufakose is also sending back all pupils for failing to pay school fees.
According to state controlled Chronicle, Utete-Masango said parents or guardians with pupils at boarding schools should appreciate that schools need money to buy food and meet other expenses hence they should pay the fees on or before schools open.
"Parents with children attending boarding schools know that they should pay fees on or before schools open".
Schools opened today for the second term.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Sylvia Utete-Masango told state media that Government policy was against punishing pupils.
"Government policy has not changed and we are not expecting any pupil to be turned away for non-payment of school fees as schools open tomorrow (today)," said Dr Utete-Masango.
However, what is obtaining on the ground is the opposite.
Bulawayo24.com crew saw scores of pupils from Nketa High School and Emganwini High School in Bulawayo as early as 10am returning home.
Last week at Milton Junior School, there where several notices which indicated that no pupil would be allowed to enter school premises without school fees receipts.
Ross Camp Primary in Bulawayo is also turning away pupils.
Said one parent to Bulawayo24.com :"The Government gave an order that no child shall be expelled from school for non payment of school fees.
" The school heads are however not allowing pupils who have not paid entry into the class. One such school that is expelling children from class is Ross camp school that is run by ZRP.
" The headmaster says the Government never gave an instruction to school heads not to expel children for non payment of school fee. She further says the Minister of Education gives orders to school heads in writing and not through the media.
"Right now parents of Ross Camp children who have not paid the fee for their children are queuing at the school head's office signing some affidavits as a promise to pay the fee by specific dates".
Information reaching Bulawayo24.com indicates that Marimba Primary School in Mufakose is also sending back all pupils for failing to pay school fees.
According to state controlled Chronicle, Utete-Masango said parents or guardians with pupils at boarding schools should appreciate that schools need money to buy food and meet other expenses hence they should pay the fees on or before schools open.
"Parents with children attending boarding schools know that they should pay fees on or before schools open".
Source - Byo24News
