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Exam fees scandal rock Hwange school
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A number of learners in Hwange District may be unable to take their Grade Seven examinations due to some primary schools demanding fees more than double the amount specified by the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec).
It has emerged that certain schools are charging as much as US$55 instead of the prescribed US$30, arguing that additional costs cover administration expenses. One of the schools under scrutiny is Mashala Primary School, located 18 kilometres from Hwange Town, which has reportedly set exorbitant fees for its candidates.
Parents report that the school is demanding US$30 from each Grade Seven pupil to cover transport costs for delivering exam papers to Hwange before sending them to the regional centre.
"We are being forced to pay more than expected, which is troubling compared to other schools. We tried discussing this with the School Development Committee (SDC) and the school head but were told the amount was agreed upon. We are struggling to pay these fees, and with debt collectors involved, many students may not be able to take their exams," said a concerned parent.
Mashala Primary reportedly has over 35 Grade Seven and 40 Grade Six learners, with the latter paying US$25, while the former is charged US$30. This means the current Grade Seven class has already paid US$25 in 2024 while in Grade Six and is now being asked to pay an additional US$30, bringing the total to US$55. Last year, Grade Seven candidates were charged US$45 for their final exams.
Another parent, who requested anonymity, said they faced a similar situation in 2023 when parents had to pay US$45 per candidate. "This year, during a parents' meeting, we were told the exam fee would be US$30 on top of the US$25 we already paid."
Concerns have also been raised about the justification for the inflated fees, particularly the transport logistics, with some parents arguing that delivering exam papers to the district office or Hwange Government School costs only US$3.
Mr. David Ndlovu, the SDC chairperson, confirmed that Mashala Primary is charging above the gazetted fee. He noted that the newly elected SDC inherited a previously agreed fee of US$45, which they later negotiated down to US$35.
"The headmaster has stated that the extra funds are necessary for transport, organising students' papers, and downloading software. Parents are unhappy, and we have attempted to address this issue but to no avail. We thought the exam fee was US$15, and we were shocked by the new amounts," he said.
Hwange District Schools Inspector, Mrs. Patricia Tshuma, acknowledged receiving complaints and said her office is investigating the matter.
"We are following up with the headmaster to understand why these fees are being charged. Unfortunately, we couldn't reach him due to a sports day, but we are actively investigating the issue."
Last year, Zimsec issued a circular outlining the exam fee structure for Grade Six and Seven. Public schools, local authorities, and mission schools are supposed to charge US$10 per subject for Grade Seven, while private schools and private candidates pay US$22. For Grade Six, the fees are US$5 for public institutions and US$11 for private ones.
Furthermore, Finance Circular No. 12 of 2023 stipulates that over two years, a student should pay a total of US$30 - US$15 in Grade Six and another US$15 in Grade Seven.
These developments come despite ongoing efforts by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to combat corruption in the education sector and protect parents and students from exploitation by unscrupulous school heads.
It has emerged that certain schools are charging as much as US$55 instead of the prescribed US$30, arguing that additional costs cover administration expenses. One of the schools under scrutiny is Mashala Primary School, located 18 kilometres from Hwange Town, which has reportedly set exorbitant fees for its candidates.
Parents report that the school is demanding US$30 from each Grade Seven pupil to cover transport costs for delivering exam papers to Hwange before sending them to the regional centre.
"We are being forced to pay more than expected, which is troubling compared to other schools. We tried discussing this with the School Development Committee (SDC) and the school head but were told the amount was agreed upon. We are struggling to pay these fees, and with debt collectors involved, many students may not be able to take their exams," said a concerned parent.
Mashala Primary reportedly has over 35 Grade Seven and 40 Grade Six learners, with the latter paying US$25, while the former is charged US$30. This means the current Grade Seven class has already paid US$25 in 2024 while in Grade Six and is now being asked to pay an additional US$30, bringing the total to US$55. Last year, Grade Seven candidates were charged US$45 for their final exams.
Another parent, who requested anonymity, said they faced a similar situation in 2023 when parents had to pay US$45 per candidate. "This year, during a parents' meeting, we were told the exam fee would be US$30 on top of the US$25 we already paid."
Concerns have also been raised about the justification for the inflated fees, particularly the transport logistics, with some parents arguing that delivering exam papers to the district office or Hwange Government School costs only US$3.
Mr. David Ndlovu, the SDC chairperson, confirmed that Mashala Primary is charging above the gazetted fee. He noted that the newly elected SDC inherited a previously agreed fee of US$45, which they later negotiated down to US$35.
"The headmaster has stated that the extra funds are necessary for transport, organising students' papers, and downloading software. Parents are unhappy, and we have attempted to address this issue but to no avail. We thought the exam fee was US$15, and we were shocked by the new amounts," he said.
Hwange District Schools Inspector, Mrs. Patricia Tshuma, acknowledged receiving complaints and said her office is investigating the matter.
"We are following up with the headmaster to understand why these fees are being charged. Unfortunately, we couldn't reach him due to a sports day, but we are actively investigating the issue."
Last year, Zimsec issued a circular outlining the exam fee structure for Grade Six and Seven. Public schools, local authorities, and mission schools are supposed to charge US$10 per subject for Grade Seven, while private schools and private candidates pay US$22. For Grade Six, the fees are US$5 for public institutions and US$11 for private ones.
Furthermore, Finance Circular No. 12 of 2023 stipulates that over two years, a student should pay a total of US$30 - US$15 in Grade Six and another US$15 in Grade Seven.
These developments come despite ongoing efforts by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to combat corruption in the education sector and protect parents and students from exploitation by unscrupulous school heads.
Source - The Sunday Mail
