Criminalise non-payment of school fees: Minister

Zim Now Writer

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo on Thursday said that schools should petition Parliament to make the non-payment of fees and levies by parents and guardians a criminal offence.

Addressing the 2024 National Association of Secondary Heads annual conference in Victoria Falls, minister Moyo said some parents are deliberately exploiting the government’s education policy, which is intended to protect the rights of children, by deliberately refusing to pay school fees and levies.

"Parents are aware that schools are not permitted to send learners home or withhold their public examination results for non-payment of fees.

“As a result, many are no longer motivated to fulfill their financial obligations to the schools.”

Minister Moyo said that the failure to pay fees has a detrimental impact on the overall operations of schools.

Responding to issues raised by school heads through their president, Arthur Maphosa, especially over non-payment of school fees, which is crippling schools’ operations, Moyo said:

"Fees and levies should be paid in full before schools open. Parents should show their responsibility and pay fees.

“As headmasters you have no right to turn away pupils for not paying and doing so will be violating their rights.”

He urged those facing genuine financial difficulties to engage directly with school authorities to negotiate reasonable payment plans instead of using the policy as a pretext to avoid their financial obligations.

“Don’t withhold results. Why don’t you find a way of recovering your money? I told representatives of NAPH and NASH to consider petitioning Parliament to criminalise non-payment of school fees and levies," Moyo further said.