Some pupils were sent home Tuesday for not paying school fees as schools opened for the third term
WASHINGTON DC —
Schools opened Tuesday with both public and private schools turning away pupils who have not yet paid fees and levies for the new term.
A parent in Marondera, Mashonaland East province, who preferred not to be names, told VOA Studio 7 that the majority of school children in the small town were sent back home and told to come back with money to cover their fees.
He said pupils were turned away at public school, Godfrey Huggins, and the Roman Catholic-run Naggle House, among others. The news was the same in most parts of the country, including Harare and Chitungwiza.
Some parents said schools were disregarding government policy which says no pupil should be turned away for failing to pay fees.
At the same time, the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe said as the schools opened Tuesday, some of its members were being transferred unnecessarily by some school heads.
The union said it is seriously concerned with this development which it called “unlawful and vindictive.”
"This is a continuation of challenges we have been facing and we believe this is very unfair," said Majongwe.
PTUZ secretary general Raymond Majongwe said some teachers who stood as candidates in the just-ended general election on MDC tickets were also being victimised.
Majongwe said their salaries have been suspended with officials referring them to the Public Service Commission.
