BPRA to challenge defying schools

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has pledged to work with parents against school authorities who send away children for failing to pay fees.

BRPA says it will confront the ministry of education following reports that some schools started demanded full payment of fees on Tuesday.

“The association welcomes announcements that as a policy, the government prohibits school heads from denying children access to school and from increasing school fees,” said BPRA programs and advocacy manager Emmanuel Ndlovu, “However, efforts should be put in place to monitor the conduct of school authorities to ensure that they adhere to directives from the ministry of education.”

Meanwhile, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe national co-ordinator Enock Paradzai has castigated schools that sent students away saying their are violating their basic right to education.

“It is very unfair for schools to send back children on non-payment of fees because the contract is not between and teachers but it is rather between parents and the school. Especially looking at that these children closed earlier for census last term they should be left alone,” said Paradzai.

Schools opened on Tuesday for the third term and institutions such as Gifford High had started sent away pupils away for non-payment.

Bulawayo Provincial education director Dan Moyo said his department will investigate all institutions that refuse children entry from schools over fees.

“The law does not permit it, we will take care of that,” said Moyo.