By 
By Ross Moyo
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) and Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) has thrown its weight behind headmasters and schools which are bemoaning the rampant abuse forced on their school fees coffers allegedly by government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
This follows a circular to all District Education Officers by the Provincial Education Director that TechnoMag is in possession of with reference “BETTER SCHOOLS Program Zimbabwe SUBSCRIPTIONS Towards running activities of the provincial office,” for xxx Province xxx.
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe President, Raymond Majongwe said this abnormal anomaly which has been normalized must stop.”
Speaking to TechnoMag in a telephone conversation, Majongwe said,
“It appears it’s an abnormally that has almost been normalized to a point it feels very normal.
“Schools are milked out of hard earned cash meant for developmental purposes and it creates serious challenges…At the end of the day as long as political patronage is going to play a part in our school administration we are going to witness more.”
The revered PTUZ leader did not mince his words calling a spade a spade as another Teachers leader of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe Secretary General, Robson Chere 
also took a similar leaf echoing Similar sentiments, “Teachers for ED are some of the criminal elements that are pushing these mandatory programs clear political machinations which are not benefiting the learners yet this is hard earned money coming from the parents who pay school fees, who are working so hard considering the dire economic situation that we are having.”
Appears the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Mopse) according to allegations by Headmasters is milking schools of parents hard earned school fees to fund events which must be sponsored by the government itself Yh through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
The letter said, “Reference is made to deliberaüons which were made in a mee’ting held on 30 Apôl 2024 at ” Cornerstone College in Marondera in connecöon wiŁ Łe above issue.
‘
“At this meeting it was unanimously agreed Łat subscôpûons for 2025 will be æ foûows –
“Boarding Secondary Boarding Primary Day Secondary
Day Primary
5 -00 per learner
‘i’¿
fi’-
., *
‘ i-‘
.•
3 -00 per learner
3 -00 per lęamm
2 -00 per learner
.*
“The above subscripżons will be shared 50 -50% between Õe province ønd the districts.
“The schools to deposit Łe money dăect toĞe provincial œcount detaüs. below
“Account Nsmc Mlnlstry oí Educatlon and C9ltUfiCash Ea t
Bank Name FBC Crown Banh Llllllted
“Account Number 8740454320300
Tlte Provincial Education Director Mash EaSt is expecting your usual co-operation in this regard.
Thanking you in advance.”
“Provincial Education Director
Mashonaland East Province.”
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education was contacted by this journalist on the grievances on issues from headmasters who are crying for them to be addressed from the national fiscus and not their school fees.
Mopse was notified of Schools claiming they are forced to fund their ministry.
Headmasters further argued that education must be funded from the ministry of finance budgets, yet most of the activities are now being made to be funded by the schools as forced by their line ministry.
The Headmasters and Teachers Unions sang from the same hymn book that “Some of the activities are:
1.NASAF
2.WORLD LITERACY DAY
3.ACCOUNTS WORKSHOPS”
Apart from funding the usual sporting activities,the headmasters claimed NASAF, an event which was introduced by former education minister Dr LDK Lazarus Dokora should be funded by government yet Mopse is force marching schools to fund through their school fees coffers adding that, “These activities are never on the schools budgets yet schools are now made to fork out substantial amounts from fees to fund them.”
The Headmasters and Teachers Unions also lamented this catch 22 situation, complaining How the money is really spent.
“only God knows”Headmasters who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed that as schools they are made to make sure they mandatorily fund without option to decline.
“Is it not that such activities are ministry programs and such should be funded from the national purse.In comparison, with minstries such as health programs which are mainly funded by the national budget.
They argued, “World literacy day comes as another blow to reeling schools as well .How can a whole ministry top to bottom rely on school fees to run a national event such as this.Why is it being executed if the ministry has no budget for it.As if that is not enough every now and again departments such as accounting departments has made it a routine to hold termly workshops where they splash Government official rate allowances where participants pocket hefty amounts over a short period of time.These are funded directly from schools.The SDCs are made to fund them forcibly.This left many in the system wondering.Are these workshops worth it .What is it that is being trained one department more than three times a year that the participants can not master year in year out.”
TechnoMag reached out to Mopse as the ministry especially the minister of Education to look into it and save the schools from such an abuse of public funds and the Ministry responded through their spokesperson and Director of Information, Taungana Ndoro who confirmed this development with a pinch of salt supporting the Ministry’s stance.Ndoro said the majority of schools and students genuinely enjoy participating in these programs adding that it is because of their enthusiasm the government allocates funding for them through school resources which is the bone of contention from the headmasters.
“Thank you for bringing these important concerns to my attention. I appreciate the insights shared by the headmasters regarding the financial pressures schools are facing,” saith the Mopse mouthpiece.
“It is not clear how the funding for certain national activities, such as NASSAF and World Literacy Day, has become a point of contention. While you claim some headmasters have expressed frustration about schools being expected to subsidize these events, I must assert that the majority of schoolsh and students genuinely enjoy participating in these programs. This enthusiasm is precisely why the government allocates funding for them through school resources.”
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson asserted that, “While school and tuition fees are indeed intended to support programs that form part of the Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC) initiatives, it is essential to recognize the value these activities bring to our educational environment. They foster community engagement and enhance the learning experience for our children.”
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