The Sunday Mail
Richard Muponde
SOME primary schools across the country are reportedly demanding payments in foreign currency ranging from US$2 to US$3 per week from parents so that their children learn everyday instead of coming on designated days.
Most schools in the country have devised a three-day learning period per week for pupils in order not to congest schools as measures of curbing the spread of Covid-19.
However, there are reports are that school administrators in some schools across the country are demanding between US$2 to US$3 per child so that they attend school every day.
The move has been castigated by some parents who view it as a money-making venture, as they would have already paid fees for their children to attend classes daily.
In Harare, a parent with a child at Kuwadzana 1 Primary School confirmed that she was advised by her child’s teacher to pay the amount if she wanted her child to be learning on a daily basis.
“It’s happening with the school’s administration’s blessing. I was told that if I want my child to be in class from Monday to Friday I should pay $2 to the teacher so that he will attend to her every day,” she said.
Another parent, with a child at a school in Nkulumane suburb in Bulawayo also corroborated the claims.
“It’s true we were advised to pay the money. The directive came from the school headmistress. However, what raises suspicion is that no receipt is given for the payment, meaning that teachers would be pocketing the money without accounting for it,” he said.
Contacted for comment, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Mr Taungana Ndoro confirmed receiving such reports countrywide.
“We have received such reports from across the country. What they are doing is illegal. Parents should report to our district and provincial offices any such schools.”
