Students barred from teachers' quarters

Learners have been prohibited from visiting teachers' quarters without a valid reason, while no pupil will be barred from attending school due to non-payment of fees, lack of a birth certificate, pregnancy, or poor academic results. These measures are part of the newly gazetted Education (General) Regulations, 2025, which were introduced by Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Dr Torerayi Moyo, as part of the Heritage-Based Education curriculum reforms.

Minister Moyo invoked the Education Act through Statutory Instrument 13 of 2025 to reinforce discipline among both students and teachers.

The regulations aim to curb societal vices such as drug abuse, sexual abuse, and bullying. Section 12 mandates schools to provide psycho-social support for pregnant students.

"Where a girl who is a pupil at a school becomes pregnant, the school head — (a) shall inform the parents of the girl as soon as possible if they are not already aware of the pregnancy, (b) shall facilitate psycho-social supportive services to the girl and parent, (c) if the girl and her parents so wish, the girl shall be permitted to remain at school for as long as possible before the delivery of her child, and to return thereafter as soon as her health and the health of her child permit it," the regulations state.

Section 14 explicitly prohibits learners from accessing teachers' living quarters.

"14 (1) No pupils must be allowed at the school staff quarters. (2) Every school shall develop guidelines for the pupils to access staff offices and base rooms to ensure the safety of the pupils. (3) Subsection (1) shall not apply where the pupil is a child or relative of the teacher or member of staff whose living quarters he or she enters and resides in," the regulations read.

Section 18 empowers school heads to suspend a pupil suspected of serious misconduct for up to 14 days, allowing time for investigations.

"No pupil may be suspended from school without first being granted a reasonable opportunity, with the support of his or her parents, to make representations with respect to the proposed suspension," the regulations state.

School heads are also granted the authority to expel a pupil found guilty of serious misconduct after a fair hearing. However, the expulsion must be approved by the District Schools Inspector (DSI) and, in the case of non-Government schools, the responsible authority.

A parent of an expelled pupil has 14 days to appeal the decision to the Permanent Secretary, and the case must be resolved within a month. The expelled learner may continue attending lessons unless authorities determine that their presence could lead to indiscipline or safety concerns.

The new regulations affirm that no pupil should be denied education due to financial constraints or administrative barriers.

"Basic education is compulsory and, if the parents of the pupil cannot afford the tuition fees and levies at a Government school, the State shall assist, within the limits of the resources available to it, in providing that education," the regulations state.

Additionally, no child shall be denied admission into Government schools due to lack of a birth certificate or poor academic results.

Violating these regulations carries penalties, including fines up to level six or imprisonment for up to six months.

The implementation of these regulations marks a significant shift towards ensuring inclusivity in education while promoting discipline within schools. Authorities urge stakeholders, including parents and school heads, to adhere to the new provisions for the benefit of all learners.