Ashley Masakadza

Government,  through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has activated law enforcement agencies like the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)  the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC) to enforce the acceptance of the newly launched Zimbabwe Gold currency (ZIG) in schools as means of payment.

The development comes after various schools are reportedly asking for fees payments in foreign currency, particularly the US dollar ahead of the second term which starts today. In a statement, the Ministry urged schools to accept the local currency as a legal tender.

“As we approach the commencement of the second term on 7 May 2024, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reiterates its policy regarding the payment of school fees and levies. The current local currency in the form of Zimbabwe Gold(ZIG) as announced by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe through a monetary policy statement, is a legal tender of transaction schools. It forms a key basis of transaction in the payment of fees and levies and in procuring of other goods, services and assets, amongst the basket of other currencies.

“Therefore, school authorities are expected to abide by the pronouncement made by the Reserve Bank of  Zimbabwe. Parents/ Guardians must be given the opportunity to pay in the currency of their choice, and not exclusively, a  certain currency and especially foreign currency, the USD in particular.

“For parents and guardians paying fees in ZiG, they must pay at prevailing interbank rate of the day the transaction made. The Ministry will continue to work with other Government agencies, Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission, Financial Intelligence Unit, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, as well as the internal Inspectorate of the Ministry to ensure compliance,” read the statement.

The Ministry also warned schools against sending children away from school due to non-payment of fees and levies.

“The Ministry would also want to re-affirm that the obligation to pay approved school fees and levies remains with parents and guardians not  with the pupils. Parents and guardians must pay school fees and levies to allow schools to meet their  operational costs and overheads. No child should be sent away from  school due to non-payment of fees and levies.

“Furthermore, guardians are  free to purchase uniforms and stationery wherever they find it affordable as long as they adhere to the specifications set by the schools,” the statement reads.