Unregistered schools put on notice

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has issued a stern warning to unregistered educational institutions operating in Bikita district, informing them that they will not be allowed to operate starting January 2025 unless they comply with registration requirements.

According to a notice from the Bikita District Education Office, a total of 12 out of 18 private and independent schools in the district remain unregistered. The notice, which is in line with the Zimbabwe Education Act, stresses that all educational institutions must be properly registered in order to remain operational. Failure to do so will lead to the closure of these institutions at the start of the new academic year in January 2025.

"This letter serves to inform you that all unregistered independent and private institutions are supposed to be registered as per the Zimbabwe Education Act, section 42(a), (b), (c) (3) 1. Failure to do so will result in the closure of the institution from 1 January 2025. Law enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, will be prepared to enforce the Education Act," read the official notice.

James Mahofa, Bikita District Schools Inspector (DSI), confirmed the government's stance, noting that this notice follows multiple attempts by the education office to encourage compliance. He revealed that the education office had asked the unregistered institutions twice earlier this year to initiate the registration process, but they had failed to act.

"These unregistered institutions in Bikita have been very relaxed. We have given them two opportunities this year to come forward and register, but they have not taken any action. This is now a final warning, and we are prepared to ensure that they do not operate come January 2025," Mahofa stated in an interview with TellZim News.

Mahofa added that the move was essential to protect learners and parents from potential exploitation by institutions operating outside the law. He also expressed concern that many of the unregistered schools failed to meet the minimum standards required for formal education.

"We have received complaints from parents about being mistreated by these institutions. Some of them do not even have basic amenities such as ablution facilities, and we are unsure about the curriculum they are using. We need to ensure that all schools are registered so that proper inspections can be carried out by relevant authorities," Mahofa explained.

However, Lucky Mukomondera, spokesperson for the Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association (BIRRA), expressed concerns about the Ministry's approach. Mukomondera argued that the closure of unregistered schools could negatively affect the learners already enrolled in these institutions. He pointed out that these schools have been paying levies to the council and the Better Schools Programme Zimbabwe (BSPZ), and that there was no prior formal warning about the government's intentions to close them.

"These schools had already budgeted for BSPZ subscriptions and council levies. There was no formal warning issued to these institutions about closure. We believe that dialogue between the ministry and the affected schools is necessary to avoid harming the students who are currently enrolled. A sudden ban will disrupt the educational opportunities for many students," Mukomondera said.

Mukomondera also highlighted the shortage of schools in the district, which has led to the proliferation of private colleges to fill the gap. In many areas, learners have to travel long distances—sometimes up to 10 kilometers—to attend school, making private schools a vital educational resource.

"There is a shortage of schools in Bikita, and private colleges have been a vital solution to this problem. Closing these institutions without providing sufficient alternatives could worsen the access to education for many students. The government needs to ensure that there is enough provision for education in the district before taking drastic actions against private schools," he emphasized.

While the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has made it clear that the law must be enforced, the growing tension between the need for regulation and the demand for accessible education in Bikita suggests that further dialogue will be necessary to address both legal and logistical concerns.

As the deadline for compliance approaches, many in the community are calling for a balanced approach that ensures both quality and access to education for all students in the district.