The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has urged parents and guardians to pay school fees and levies on or before schools open, to ensure the smooth running of schools and the provision of essential services.
In a statement issued on 3 September, ahead of the start of the third term on 8 September, the Ministry said the obligation to pay approved fees and levies remains with parents and guardians.
“The Ministry appeals to parents and guardians to pay approved school fees and levies on or before the opening of schools to ensure the smooth running of school operations and the provision of essential educational services,” the Ministry said.
“The obligation to pay approved fees and levies remains with parents and guardians.
“The Ministry emphasises that fees and levies are payable in accordance with Zimbabwean fiscal and monetary laws and regulations.”
The call comes as Government has acknowledged that arrears owed under the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) have risen to more than US$292 million.
Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Mercy Dinha recently told Parliament that BEAM arrears have accumulated since 2023 due to limited fiscal space.
The Ministry also reiterated that parents and guardians are free to buy uniforms and stationery wherever they find it reasonable, as long as it meets the specifications set by the schools.
“Head of Schools and Responsible Authorities (whether Government or Non-Government) are therefore, warned to abide by this directive and desist from making it mandatory for parents to purchase school uniforms and stationery exclusively at their schools,” said the Ministry.
Meanwhile, the third term is one of the busiest and most important on the school calendar, with Grade 7, Form 4 and Form 6 learners sitting their final public exams.
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