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Bulilima schools clash with council over US$1 per pupil levy
1 hr ago |
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School heads in Bulilima District have expressed strong opposition to a directive from the Bulilima Rural District Council (RDC) demanding payment of a US$1 per pupil levy for 2026, citing widespread nonpayment of school fees and financial strain on institutions.
The council issued the notice on January 19, reminding the district's 88 primary and secondary schools, both public and private, that the annual levy was due. The communication warned that noncompliance could result in legal action, sparking criticism from educators.
"Taking legal action against who? Why use threatening language? Parents are not paying. Last time we requested that you come to communities to make them aware of this development," one school head said, describing the tone as "intimidating" while schools struggle to fund basic operations.
Another official called for a more diplomatic approach, urging the council to engage schools and parents rather than immediately resorting to legal threats. "Let us create a conducive working environment where we work without fear or intimidation. No reason to threaten the very cow you intend to milk," they said.
The council maintains that its request is lawful under the Rural District Councils Act (Chapter 29:13), which empowers RDCs to levy and collect fees to support educational institutions.
Bulilima RDC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Billiat Mlauzi, defended the directive, insisting that the council is entitled to its share of any funds collected by schools. "We understand schools are saying parents are not paying fees, but it can't be true that schools are not receiving anything. From those who pay, they are supposed to remit to council our share, that is what the law says," he said.
Mr. Mlauzi highlighted several compliant schools, including Malalume Secondary, Hingwe Primary, Mazwaligwe Secondary, Nswazi Primary, and Thekwane Secondary and Primary, urging other schools to follow suit. He reiterated that legal action remains a possibility for institutions that refuse to remit the levy.
The standoff underscores the challenges faced by schools in rural Zimbabwe, where fee collection is inconsistent and institutions often struggle to meet operational costs.
The council issued the notice on January 19, reminding the district's 88 primary and secondary schools, both public and private, that the annual levy was due. The communication warned that noncompliance could result in legal action, sparking criticism from educators.
"Taking legal action against who? Why use threatening language? Parents are not paying. Last time we requested that you come to communities to make them aware of this development," one school head said, describing the tone as "intimidating" while schools struggle to fund basic operations.
Another official called for a more diplomatic approach, urging the council to engage schools and parents rather than immediately resorting to legal threats. "Let us create a conducive working environment where we work without fear or intimidation. No reason to threaten the very cow you intend to milk," they said.
Bulilima RDC Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Billiat Mlauzi, defended the directive, insisting that the council is entitled to its share of any funds collected by schools. "We understand schools are saying parents are not paying fees, but it can't be true that schools are not receiving anything. From those who pay, they are supposed to remit to council our share, that is what the law says," he said.
Mr. Mlauzi highlighted several compliant schools, including Malalume Secondary, Hingwe Primary, Mazwaligwe Secondary, Nswazi Primary, and Thekwane Secondary and Primary, urging other schools to follow suit. He reiterated that legal action remains a possibility for institutions that refuse to remit the levy.
The standoff underscores the challenges faced by schools in rural Zimbabwe, where fee collection is inconsistent and institutions often struggle to meet operational costs.
Source - The Chronicle
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