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Education Minister to personally monitor school reopening nationwide
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Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo has announced plans to personally visit schools across the country this week to ensure a smooth start to the second term, amid common concerns around fee payments, currency compliance, teacher absenteeism, and the exclusion of learners over non-payment of fees.
Speaking to The Herald on Sunday, Minister Moyo said his visits are part of the Government's broader oversight efforts to support a seamless reopening process and enforce compliance with school policies and financial regulations.
"I will be moving around schools across the country to ensure that everything is in order and that there is compliance in the schools," said Minister Moyo. "Everything is on course for the opening of schools on Tuesday."
He confirmed that teachers had already completed necessary preparations, including curriculum planning and scheming, in anticipation of the new term.
"Our teachers have already done scheming in anticipation of the opening of schools, and current indications are that everything is in order," he said.
The Ministry will also be closely monitoring the safety of boarding school students as they travel to their schools on Monday. "We will be witnessing borders travelling to schools tomorrow (Monday) then on Tuesday all schools will open," Moyo added.
In terms of school fees, the Ministry reiterated on Friday that schools must allow payments in any legal tender, including the recently introduced Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency. The Ministry emphasized that demanding exclusive USD payments is prohibited and would lead to disciplinary action.
"Parents and guardians may pay fees in any currency of choice (ZiG, USD, etc.)," read the statement. "Schools must not demand exclusive USD payments."
Schools have also been instructed to use the official interbank rate for currency conversions, with unilateral rate-setting strictly prohibited. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) echoed this directive, stating on March 12 that all entities, including schools, must use the exchange rate determined by the interbank market.
"The exchange rate that is determined in the foreign exchange market by banks is the one that should be used to guide the pricing of all other goods and services in the economy," said the RBZ. "No other business entity (schools included) outside the interbank market should determine the exchange rate."
As for the upcoming June ZIMSEC examinations, the Ministry directed schools to facilitate seamless candidate registration during the mop-up exercise, which runs until May 16.
"Administrators are directed to assist all eligible candidates to register without delay up until the closing date," said the Ministry.
With schools set to reopen on Tuesday, the Government's firm oversight is aimed at ensuring a compliant, safe, and disruption-free return to learning for all pupils across Zimbabwe.
Speaking to The Herald on Sunday, Minister Moyo said his visits are part of the Government's broader oversight efforts to support a seamless reopening process and enforce compliance with school policies and financial regulations.
"I will be moving around schools across the country to ensure that everything is in order and that there is compliance in the schools," said Minister Moyo. "Everything is on course for the opening of schools on Tuesday."
He confirmed that teachers had already completed necessary preparations, including curriculum planning and scheming, in anticipation of the new term.
"Our teachers have already done scheming in anticipation of the opening of schools, and current indications are that everything is in order," he said.
The Ministry will also be closely monitoring the safety of boarding school students as they travel to their schools on Monday. "We will be witnessing borders travelling to schools tomorrow (Monday) then on Tuesday all schools will open," Moyo added.
"Parents and guardians may pay fees in any currency of choice (ZiG, USD, etc.)," read the statement. "Schools must not demand exclusive USD payments."
Schools have also been instructed to use the official interbank rate for currency conversions, with unilateral rate-setting strictly prohibited. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) echoed this directive, stating on March 12 that all entities, including schools, must use the exchange rate determined by the interbank market.
"The exchange rate that is determined in the foreign exchange market by banks is the one that should be used to guide the pricing of all other goods and services in the economy," said the RBZ. "No other business entity (schools included) outside the interbank market should determine the exchange rate."
As for the upcoming June ZIMSEC examinations, the Ministry directed schools to facilitate seamless candidate registration during the mop-up exercise, which runs until May 16.
"Administrators are directed to assist all eligible candidates to register without delay up until the closing date," said the Ministry.
With schools set to reopen on Tuesday, the Government's firm oversight is aimed at ensuring a compliant, safe, and disruption-free return to learning for all pupils across Zimbabwe.
Source - the herald
