ZiG remains legal tender

Government has issued a firm directive to all schools, reaffirming that the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency and all currencies within the approved multicurrency basket remain legal tender for the payment of school fees, warning that demanding fees exclusively in United States dollars is illegal and will attract stern disciplinary action.

The directive comes ahead of the opening of the 2026 academic year as parents and guardians prepare for schools to reopen on January 13. Responding to questions from Zimpapers, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said Government financial directives issued during Term Three of 2025 remain fully in force and must be strictly observed by all schools.

"The Ministry's directives on financial matters, as detailed in the Term Three 2025 guidelines, remain fully in force and must be strictly adhered to for the 2026 academic year," the ministry said. "The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) and all currencies within the multicurrency system remain legal tender for school fees payments. Schools are prohibited from demanding fees exclusively in United States Dollars (USD). Any such practice is illegal and will attract severe disciplinary action."

The clarification follows reports that some schools have been insisting on USD-only payments, effectively sidelining the local currency and placing additional pressure on parents. The ministry also addressed concerns over exchange rate manipulation, a major source of tension between schools and parents.

It said all fee conversions must be strictly pegged to the official interbank exchange rate, with schools barred from setting their own rates or applying inflated premiums. "The Ministry, in conjunction with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, reaffirms the directive of 12 March 2025. All fee conversions must be pegged strictly to the official interbank exchange rate," the ministry said. "Schools are not permitted to unilaterally set or use inflated exchange rates for fee calculations. Vigorous monitoring and enforcement will be undertaken in collaboration with financial regulatory authorities."

The ministry reiterated that while fee obligations remain, no learner should be sent home, excluded from lessons or barred from sitting examinations due to non-payment of fees. Schools are instead required to engage parents and guardians to agree on flexible payment plans. It also reaffirmed free market choice for uniforms and stationery, warning schools against forcing parents to buy from designated suppliers.

The First Term of the 2026 academic year will run from Tuesday, January 13, to Wednesday, April 1. The ministry said all schools are expected to have completed logistical and administrative preparations to ensure a smooth reopening, including finalising timetables, teacher deployment and learner placement by the first day of term. Parents were urged to ensure learners report to school properly equipped and ready to learn.

Meanwhile, Government will next week begin rolling out the distribution of ICT devices to disadvantaged rural schools, starting with Manicaland Province before moving to Matabeleland South, as part of efforts to promote blended teaching and learning.

Speaking at the handover of ICT equipment by the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) at the United Nations Warehouse, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo said the initiative marked a major milestone in transforming the education sector, particularly in underserved communities.

"This ceremony marks a significant milestone in the transformation of Zimbabwe's education system, particularly for disadvantaged rural schools in Manicaland and Matabeleland South Provinces," Minister Moyo said. "The handover of 815 laptops, 708 projectors and 2 112 tablets is not merely a logistical exercise; it is a strategic investment in the future of our children and the nation as a whole."

He said the intervention aligns with President Mnangagwa's vision of modernisation, innovation and inclusive development, as Zimbabwe works towards becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

The devices will be deployed across seven districts to address inequalities in access to technology, benefiting 113 disadvantaged, solarised schools in Buhera, Chipinge and Nyanga in Manicaland, and Beitbridge, Gwanda, Matobo and Insiza in Matabeleland South. Most of the schools are in remote and underserved areas.

Minister Moyo said the equipment will enhance teaching and learning through access to digital content, interactive instruction and offline learning platforms. Tablets will improve learner access to digital resources, laptops will strengthen teacher preparation, assessment and school administration, while projectors will support inclusive, whole-class digital instruction.

"This is how we democratise access to quality education," he said.

Unicef acting representative Fiachra Mcasey said the devices will be complemented by teacher training programmes on ICT literacy and classroom integration, scheduled for February and March 2026. He said pre- and post-training assessments will be conducted to measure improvements in digital skills, confidence and effective use of technology for learning.

As schools prepare to reopen, Government has also warned teachers and school heads against soliciting bribes for school placements or forcing parents to buy uniforms from designated shops, saying such practices undermine access to education and will not be tolerated.