Dodgy schools sprout

The Government is currently reviewing the minimum standards for school licensing as part of efforts to address the proliferation of illegal learning institutions, a problem attributed to the shortage of formal schools.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education considers partnerships with the private sector critical in tackling the country's estimated deficit of approximately 3,000 schools. Some of the most affected areas include Cowdray Park in Bulawayo, as well as Stoneridge and Caledonia in Harare, where illegal schools have become prevalent.

Concerns have been raised over the quality of education provided by makeshift structures, often referred to as "shacks," that operate as schools without meeting the required educational standards. However, the Government acknowledges that some of these institutions possess the necessary infrastructure and could be regularized upon meeting specific criteria.

Speaking in an interview, Primary and Secondary Education Permanent Secretary Mr. Moses Mhike revealed that the ministry will conduct inspections to understand why some schools remain unregistered.

"As a ministry, we are reviewing our minimum functionality standards. For any school to be registered, it must meet specific requirements, including land size. This has been a major challenge for most of these schools," he said.

Since independence, school licensing required large land allocations, a criterion that has become impractical given current land availability.

"It was normal to require 26 to 30 hectares of land for a boarding school. However, finding such large tracts of land nowadays is difficult. We need to revise our minimum standards. Schools on two to three hectares may be allowed to operate but with a capped enrolment of between 300 and 400 learners," Mr. Mhike explained.

He emphasized that while the Government is easing regulations to encourage private sector investment in education, illegal schools that lack proper infrastructure and fail to meet the revised standards will face closure.

"There are certain schools that do not have the required infrastructure, and these must be closed," he said.

Mr. Mhike also pointed out that Government and local authorities have not built sufficient schools in the past five years, exacerbating the shortage and fueling the rise of unauthorized institutions.

This issue was also addressed in the National Assembly's question-and-answer session last Wednesday, where Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo stressed the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in expanding school infrastructure.

"The ministry acknowledges the urgency of addressing classroom shortages caused by high enrolment rates, and we remain committed to equitable and sustainable solutions," Minister Moyo said.

He added that infrastructural development, including the construction of classrooms, laboratories, and administration blocks, is a priority, with schools facing severe shortages being listed under PPP interventions.

"However, fiscal constraints necessitate a phased strategic approach to ensure resources are allocated where they are most critically needed," he concluded.

The move to revise school licensing standards aims to balance the need for more educational institutions while ensuring quality learning environments, ultimately benefiting Zimbabwe's education sector.