School confiscates learners' bags over unpaid fees

The Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) has petitioned the Government over reports that Mbizo High School in Kwekwe has been confiscating learners' school bags as punishment for non-payment of fees - a practice the organisation says violates children's rights and disrupts their education.

In a letter dated October 29 and addressed to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education's Kwekwe District Office, ACT-SA expressed concern that the move was unlawful and discriminatory.

The organisation said the confiscation of learners' bags deprived students of access to essential study materials, effectively undermining their constitutional right to education.

"During the period when the bags are held, learners are left without essential tools needed for their academic progression," ACT-SA said in the letter.

The watchdog added that Mbizo High School had "gained increasing notoriety" for using this form of punishment, which could amount to educational discrimination and contravene ministry policy.

"We kindly request the ministry to urgently pronounce itself on this matter and clarify whether such actions are permitted under the ministry's guidelines. If not, we urge you to take appropriate steps to protect the learners' rights," ACT-SA stated.

ACT-SA director, Mr Obert Chinhamo, said the practice had been ongoing for several years and had sparked repeated complaints from parents and guardians.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education were unsuccessful. Spokesperson Mr Taungana Ndoro referred questions to his deputy, Mr Patrick Zumbo, who did not respond to inquiries sent to him by the time of publication.

The incident has reignited debate over the handling of school fee arrears in public institutions, with education advocates urging authorities to find humane and rights-based approaches to enforcing payment compliance without punishing learners.

Zimbabwe's Constitution guarantees the right to education for every child, while government policy prohibits schools from sending learners home or denying them access to learning on the basis of unpaid fees.