The government of Zimbabwe has assented to the payment of
school fees by parents using livestock or labour for the school.
This is due to the economic realities in the country.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Lazarus Dokora
disclosed over weekend that school authorities should be flexible and not turn
away pupils because their parents have no money to pay tuition fees.
He told Zimbabwe media, “Our schools have to be flexible and
ensure those who do not have money to pay fees can work.
“For example, if there is a builder in the community, he/she
must be given that opportunity to work as a form of payment of tuition fees.”
The development was further elaborated by the Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango who said that payment using
livestock is reserved for rural areas while those in towns and cities can pay
by working for the school.
However this option raised divergent views from parents
while the country’s teachers’ association called for a change in the policy.
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association Secretary-General, John Mlilo
said, “I do not think that it’s sustainable with regards to parents in urban
areas … so many parents have outstanding balances.
“Therefore, I am trying to imagine those 1 000-plus parents
coming to work at a school … Why spend time doing manual labour at a school
when they can go there to look for a good job?”
A bill has been recently tabled in parliament to direct
banks to accept livestock as collateral for cash loans to informal businesses.
By John Owen Nwachukwu
