Students forced to register as private candidates as schools demand fees arrears first

Some schools in Matabeleland are barring pupils from registering for the 2017 November Zimsec exams if they have school fees arrears. Other schools are diverting the money for exam registration to school fees and telling the parents to find more money for exam fees. This has forced some parents to resort to registering their children as private candidates at different schools.

Zimbabwe Schools Development Associations secretary-general, Mr Everisto Jongwe said:

As an association we don’t encourage parents to just let their children go to school without paying their school fees but on the other hand we are saying schools should not forget Government’s policy that school children should not be made to suffer, school authorities should allow the pupils to register then deal with parents to recover what they owe.

However, parents on their part must ensure that they communicate with their respective schools while there is still time and draw up payment plans because while we understand that the economic situation is not conducive for everyone they still have a mandate to pay for their children’s education.

Recently Zimsec extended the deadline for registering for the November 2017 examinations after a number of parents had failed to register for their children.

More: Sunday News