Parents Exploit School Fees Policy Loophole, Kuwadzana 1 Head Threatens Legal Action

The headmaster of Kuwadzana 1 Primary School in Harare has given parents and guardians two days to settle outstanding school fees or risk legal action.

In a letter dated 11 November 2025, school head F. Chifamba warned that unpaid fees could prevent learners from sitting their end-of-term examinations. The letter reads:

“Vabereki vasina kubhadhara mari ye fees ndapota bhadharai mari kuti vana venyu vagone kunyora bvunzo dzekupera kwegore. Munofanirwa kubhadhara mari musi wa 13 November usati wapfuura.

“Kana mukapfuura musi uyu mazita enyu achayendeswa kumatare.

(“Parents who have not paid school fees, please pay so that your children can sit for the end-of-year exams. You must pay the fees by November 13.

If you fail to meet this deadline, legal action will be taken against you.”)

The government’s decision to ban schools from sending learners home for unpaid fees is being exploited by some parents and guardians, leaving school administrators in a difficult position.

Traditionally, headmasters would bar learners with unpaid fees from attending lessons, but the government says this violates children’s rights.

Under current policy, school heads in Zimbabwe are not allowed to send children home for non-payment of fees, as doing so breaches the constitutional right to education.

Statutory Instrument 13 of 2025 clearly states: “No pupil shall be excluded from school for non-payment of any form of school fees or levies.”

Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Tererayi Moyo told Parliament that paying school fees is the responsibility of parents or guardians, not the students. He stressed that sending children home for unpaid fees violates their rights.

Despite this directive, some schools have reportedly continued the practice, particularly at the start of new terms.

Instead of excluding learners, schools are encouraged to engage parents or guardians directly to resolve outstanding fees or to pursue payment through legal or administrative channels, while ensuring that students remain in class.