Brunette Tshuma
A private school in Pumula South, Bulawayo, has sparked outrage among parents by sending children home on the first day of school due to non-payment of fees.
The school demanded a 60% down payment before allowing students to attend classes, leaving many parents struggling to meet the requirement.
“I went to pay for my children and requested a payment plan, but they told me I had to pay 60% first,” said one parent.
“It’s useless trying to negotiate with the Headmaster. They won’t entertain anyone who hasn’t paid 60%.”
The school’s bursar confirmed the policy, stating,
“Mina umthetho engiwunikiweyo ngowokuthi 60% payment should be made first before payment plan.”
Parents are caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to afford the 60% down payment or transfer their children to other schools without the required report cards as well as transfer letters, which this particular school is holding on to. The report cards and transfer letter are needed by the other school if and when a child is being transfered .
This move contradicts the government’s stance against sending children home for non-payment of fees. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Torerai Moyo warned,
“Government has invoked statutory instrument of 2000 to protect children’s right to education. It imposes penalties for sending children away from school.”
Parents suspect the school’s demands may be a ploy to exploit them financially, following the government’s recent call to deregister illegal institutes, which affected the owner’s other institute.
“Mina ngeke ngikukwanise lokhu, I’m just going to transfer my child to another school.” Said another parent.
At the time of this publication many parents were still struggling to get their children back into class. The headmaster’s attitude was totally cold towards the parents.
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