Holiday lessons spark outcry

Thousands of learners across Manicaland are reportedly attending classes during the August school holiday, with parents accusing some teachers and schools of turning vacation lessons into a lucrative side business.

Investigations have revealed that learners from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Upper Six, including those not preparing for examinations, are attending holiday lessons at rented venues and, in some cases, on school premises.

Parents claim some teachers are using pressure tactics to compel learners to attend, warning that the syllabus will continue during the holiday and that those who stay away risk falling behind their classmates.

The practice has effectively turned the school holiday into an extension of the classroom, leaving many families feeling they have little choice but to pay for additional lessons.

Some primary school learners, including ECD pupils attending lessons in Mutare's Central Business District, are reportedly being charged up to US$20 for two weeks of tuition.

At some schools in Mutare, examination-class learners are allegedly being charged a compulsory US$20 holiday lessons fee, with the levy reportedly imposed even on learners who do not attend.

Other schools are said to be charging approved vacation school fees while demanding an additional US$1 per day for lessons conducted outside the period authorised by Government.

The developments have sparked concern among parents, many of whom are already struggling with the rising cost of education.

Contacted for comment, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Chief Director for Manicaland Richard Gabaza said authorities would move swiftly to address any violations.

"We will correct that without delay," he said.

The ministry recently issued Secretary's Circular Number 7 of 2026, authorising vacation classes during the August holiday.

However, the programme is specifically targeted at Grade Seven, Form Four and Upper Six examination candidates as an intervention designed to help learners prepare for national examinations.

Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education director for communications and advocacy Taungana Ndoro said the initiative was never intended to become a routine extension of the school term.

"The vacation school is positioned not as a routine extension of term time, but as a strategic intervention to bolster candidate readiness and reassure stakeholders of the ministry's commitment to quality education," he said.

Ndoro said the authorised lessons were scheduled to run from August 7 to August 20, covering 10 working days.

Under the ministry's guidelines, primary schools may charge US$2 per learning area for each Grade Seven learner, while secondary schools may charge US$3 per learning area for Form Four candidates and US$5 per learning area for Upper Six learners.

Schools are prohibited from charging amounts above the prescribed limits.

"In all cases, these amounts may also be paid at the equivalent bank rate in Zimbabwe Gold currency. Schools are expressly prohibited from charging any amounts beyond these stipulated figures," Ndoro said.

He said all payments must be receipted and properly accounted for, with funds distributed according to a prescribed formula covering teacher incentives, administration costs and utilities.

The ministry has also ordered education inspectors, district literacy coordinators and remedial tutors to closely monitor the programme, with schools required to submit comprehensive reports by August 31.

Ndoro stressed that parents and guardians should be involved in determining vacation school timetables and fees.

"Schools are urged to make every reasonable effort to involve parents and guardians in the process to ensure that all candidates, including vulnerable and marginalised learners, are able to benefit from the vacation school," he said.

However, teachers' representatives argue that the proliferation of extra lessons reflects deeper problems within the education sector.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Association of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure said deteriorating working conditions were pushing teachers to seek additional sources of income.

"We need to go to the heart of the crisis. Teachers are exploring other means of making extra income. We lost it as a nation when we promoted the idea of making extra money from your workstation. If there is need for remedial work to be done, it should be done in a formal manner," he said.

For parents, the situation has created a difficult choice between financial hardship and concerns over their children's academic performance.

Desire Dube of Chipinge said parents often felt compelled to pay despite struggling financially.

"We find ourselves in a tight situation as parents. We are paying not because we want to or can afford it. If I fail to pay, it is my child who loses out," he said.

Patrick Mutimudye of Chikanga said parents were being forced to choose between protecting their finances and giving their children a chance to succeed academically.

"This is a very difficult situation where you have to choose between not paying for these extra lessons and your child failing, or struggle to find the money so that they at least have a fair chance to pass," he said.

The controversy has renewed calls for the ministry to enforce its vacation-school guidelines and ensure that schools do not turn authorised examination preparation programmes into compulsory holiday tuition for learners outside the approved categories.