I Will Close Private Schools Bypassing Govt's Approval To Increase Tuition - Mathema

The Minister of Primary and Education Minister while answering questions during a post-cabinet media briefing said he would certainly close private schools that are asking for tuition top-ups without seeking approval from the government, The Herald reports.

Mathema said:

Procedures are very key and they have been communicated to our stakeholders from Parliament, trade unions, school heads on the processes involved in increasing fees.

Private schools are guided by the laws in education, which are under my purview. If the schools continue doing that, without coming to the secretary for approval, I will certainly close them

Private schools reportedly want schools to open early since they can afford to put COVID-19 safety measures in place according to a source who spoke to the publication and said:

There was a point of difference between teachers’ unions and trust schools. Private schools were saying they want to open early because they rely on fees for survival.

Schools closed prematurely on 24 March after Zimbabwe recorded its first and second COVID-19 cases.

More: The Herald