Let us not deprive our children's right to education

It's now the second week since schools have been opened for the second term. Second term is normally a busy term as most exam classes will be busy preparing for their final exams. Non exam classes will also be preparing for their midyear examinations. This keeps every child, teacher and headmaster busy despite the harsh weather conditions.

However, despite all these efforts to prepare for both midyear and final year exams, some school authorities are disregarding the children's right to education by sending them back home for failing to pay school levies and school fees.

The laws prescribes that all the children in Zimbabwe should have the right to education. According to section 75 of the new Constitution, "Every citizen and permanent resident of Zimbabwe has a right to (a) a basic State-funded education, including adult basic education and (b) further education, which the State, through reasonable legislative and other measures, must progressively available and accessible."

Education is an enabling right that enhances the fulfillment of other children's socio-economic rights hence must be accessible to all children. It is an essential element of development of school children. Through basic education and skills development practice, children can develop their communications skills and the way they relate with the society.

Minister of primary and secondary education, Dr Lazarus Dokora once noted that school children should not be send home for nonpayment of their levies and fees, instead, parents and school authorities should agree on payment plan whilst their children are in class.
 
However, it seems tables have turned upside down, as school development associations (SDAs) are barring children from attending lessons if they haven't paid their fees. SDAs should be encouraged that it is a Constitutional right for children to access education; hence they should consent with parents on best payment methods of school fees. It is worrisome that some school authorities were rejecting even half payment of the school fees demanding full payment. Barring school children from attending lessons is a violation of the Constitution.

In that manner, parents should ensure that they do not deprive their children the right to education by paying their school fees in time. The generation of today's school going children are the future leaders of tomorrow. Hence, efforts should be made to ensure that every child access education without fail or else as a nation we risk breeding a society that will encounter a lot of challenges in years to come.

Parents should be enlightened that some of the school funds will be used to purchase stationery that is used by the school teachers; hence the fees should be paid on time.
In a country that prides itself as one of the highest literacy rates in Africa it is important that more focus is given on the education sector. Parents and SDAs should not threaten this sector by depriving children their rights.

Honestly, it doesn't help that a teacher will only attend to 5 students in class of 45 students, whilst the rest 40 students will be send back home for failing to pay fees. Such a move has a strong impact on the education sector as it affects the pass rate of each school and the entire nation. Mutual understanding on fees payment between SDAs and parents is the only way for the betterment of our children's education.