The government has said there will be stiff penalties to schools which are demanding fees from learners saying fees should be paid when schools reopen.
Zimbabwean schools are currently closed as a way to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and there signals that the 2020 academic year might overlap to 2021 or be declared null and void.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mr Taungana Ndoro said the law states that schools shall only review fees when the government has approved the increase. He said:
The Government has not approved any new fees structure, but has said that school fees will be paid when schools re-open. The law is very clear that no responsible authority shall charge any fee or levy or increase any fee or levy unless it is approved
The Government shall immediately close schools that defy the order to remain closed and if they continue to open, sterner measures would be taken such as de-registration of the schools or colleges.
Some schools have reportedly started online lessons and are demanding fees for the second term.
More: The Sunday News