DIS WAS 2009 BUT KETCH IT

Zimbabwe’s school fees in Maize and Sweet Potato format

Masvingo(ZimEye)Parents have condemned some teachers in Masvingo who are allegedly demanding buckets of sweet potatoes and maize from pupils who failed to pay school fees.Parents with children at Shumbayaonda and Muchenurwa Primary Schools revealed that teachers were demanding buckets of maize and potatoes from children who failed to pay school fees.

Recently, the government directed all schools and teachers not to demand payment of fees in kind from students.

A pupil at Muchenurwa Primary School revealed that their school authority has ordered pupils who failed to raise school fees to pay with sweet potatoes and maize ‘as fees’.

Mr John Hakurabwi from Mapanzure irrigation scheme complained that the teachers were ripping them off.

“They are ripping us off, these teachers.They now demand maize and sweet potatoes from parents, if we fail to pay fees and incentives which they also expect us to pay for them to come to work, yet they are being paid by the government,” said Hakurabwi.

Masvingo provincial education director Ms Clara Dube condemned teachers and school authorities for ripping off parents and students.She also said that it was illegal for teachers to demand fees in kind from pupils.

“But I must point out that the government does not allow the payment in kind of incentives or fees from students.We even encouraged boarding schools not to get things in kind from pupils to avoid causes of food poisoning,” said Ms Dube. (ZimEye, Zimbabwe)