Education black market exposed

Manicaland has the highest number of unregistered primary schools in Zimbabwe, accounting for more than a quarter of all such institutions nationwide, according to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

The figures have raised concerns about compliance with education regulations and the quality and safety of learning environments, as authorities intensify efforts to regularise schools operating without official approval.

According to the ministry, Manicaland has 349 unregistered primary schools, the highest number in the country, followed by Mashonaland Central with 226, Mashonaland West with 160 and Midlands with 155.

"Unregistered primary schools were most prevalent in Manicaland Province (349), Mashonaland Central (226), Mashonaland West (160) and Midlands (155)," the ministry said.

The ministry noted that while unregistered primary schools remain widespread, the number of unregistered secondary schools is comparatively lower, suggesting improved regulatory oversight at that level.

Mashonaland East recorded the highest number of unregistered secondary schools with 42, followed by Mashonaland Central (39), Mashonaland West (37), Manicaland (33) and Bulawayo (31).

The ministry attributed the growth in unregistered schools largely to increasing demand for education, which has encouraged investors to establish learning institutions in converted residential houses, churches, commercial premises and industrial buildings.

Despite the high number of unregistered schools, Manicaland also remains one of Zimbabwe's leading provinces in the provision of registered primary education.

"In terms of registered primary schools, concentrations were highest in Manicaland (14.34%), Masvingo (13.80%) and Midlands (12.80%), reflecting the dominance of these provinces in the provision of formal primary education.

"Unregistered primary schools were most prevalent in Manicaland Province (25.49%), indicating that over a quarter of all unregistered primary schools nationally were in this province," the ministry said.

Zimbabwe Rural Teachers Union president Martin Chaburumunda warned that unregistered schools pose significant risks to learners because they often operate outside government supervision.

"Once a school operates unregistered, it is a recipe for disaster. There is a high likelihood that an unregistered school will never be supervised by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education," Chaburumunda said.

"Once this happens, it exposes young learners to poor conditions in terms of infrastructure, untrained teachers with no checked backgrounds and other unpleasant situations. The situation cuts across urban, rural and resettlement areas where people are taking advantage of shortages of formal schools."

He urged parents to verify the registration status of schools before enrolling their children.

"There are cases of unscrupulous private colleges who engage untrained teachers, then falsify internal examination marks to please parents, but when it comes to national examinations, the learners perform dismally. Provision of education should not be free for all, but must be guided by strict and firm rules which protect the interests of both parents and learners," he said.

Chipinge Town Council chairman Councillor Kingstone Dhlumo said the town faces a shortage of six primary schools, contributing to the rise in unregistered institutions.

"Currently we have five public primary schools and seven registered private primary schools. The total demand for primary schools is 18. We require six new primary schools to serve the community," Dhlumo said.

"We have six unregistered schools."

He said the local authority had adopted a persuasive approach by encouraging operators to formalise their institutions.

"We have written to the unregistered schools advising them to formalise their operations with the council and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. We have also reserved stands for those who want to invest in the education sector," he said.

Meanwhile, Rusape Town Council has launched an enforcement campaign targeting unregistered schools and colleges operating within its jurisdiction.

In a public notice, the local authority directed all independent colleges, private schools and early childhood development centres to register with the council or cease operating.

"Rusape Town Council would like to notify all independent colleges, private schools and ECD centres that they are being advised to register with Rusape Town Council. After this exercise, no such institutions will be allowed to operate without proper licensing and registration as promulgated in the Education Act," the notice read.

Joint inspection teams began monitoring schools from July 1.

Rusape Town Council public relations officer Lloyd Makumana said shortages of schools continue to fuel overcrowding and the emergence of unregistered institutions.

"For the population of Rusape, there is need for 24 primary schools, and currently there are 11. We also require 12 secondary schools against the current establishment of just four," Makumana said.

He said enforcement was being conducted jointly with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Environmental Management Agency, the Department of Public Works, the District Development Coordinator's Office and residents' associations as authorities seek to improve compliance and safeguard education standards.