Public schools ordered to display approved fees

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has issued a directive requiring all public schools to publicly display approved tuition fees, School Development Association (SDA) levies, and their local currency bank account numbers at administration blocks. The move is aimed at preventing illegal and unjustified fee hikes that have burdened parents and guardians.

School heads who fail to comply with the directive risk facing disciplinary action, with district-level monitoring units already deployed to track compliance and handle complaints.

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, emphasised that schools can only charge tuition and levies agreed upon by parents and formally approved by the authorities.

"The ministry has strict measures to prevent overcharging by schools," Minister Moyo said. "All fees must be approved by the Permanent Secretary, having been agreed upon by parents. Schools must comply with approved structures."

Moyo added that enforcement measures include monitoring units at the district level to address complaints. Penalties for offending school heads may include charges for misconduct. Schools must publicly display the approved fee breakdowns and their ZiG account numbers to ensure transparency.

The Ministry has also outlawed paid-for extra lessons by teachers and entrance examinations for Form One enrolment, citing the financial burden these practices place on families. Parents are encouraged to report any illegal extra-lesson charges through the ministry's command centres.

"The government is committed to ensuring that financial barriers do not block children's access to education," Minister Moyo said.

The Ministry continues to focus on improving educational quality, urging schools to concentrate on preparing learners for end-of-year public examinations. Resources such as past papers, revision guides, digital materials, and counselling sessions are available through ministry platforms, while Zimsec ensures secure exam administration.

In addition, Minister Moyo highlighted progress in rolling out the Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC), which emphasises Zimbabwean culture, practical skills, and innovation. Primary education now focuses on six core areas: Indigenous Languages, English, Science and Technology, Mathematics, Social Science, and Physical Education and Arts.

Teachers have received extensive training, mentorship, and access to updated syllabi and digital resources to ensure effective curriculum delivery. Ministry officials are conducting school visits, webinars, and information-sharing sessions to support compliance and professional development.

The directive is expected to promote financial transparency in schools and protect parents from excessive or illegal fees, while ensuring learners continue to receive quality education under the new curriculum.