The government, through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, has authorised schools to conduct vacation lessons from August 19 to August 30, 2024, targeting examination classes – specifically, Grade 7, Form 4, and Form 6 students.
The fees for these vacation lessons have been set at the following rates per learning area (in US dollars): Grade 7 – $2, Form 4 – $3, and Form 6 – $5. Boarding students will be required to pay an extra $4 per day.
However, parents are allowed to pay in the currency of their choice.
The Secretary’s Circular Number 6 of 2024, dated 16 July 2024, and addressed to Chief Directors, Provincial Education Directors, Directors, District Schools Inspectors, National Association of Primary Heads, National Association of Secondary Heads, Heads of Primary and Secondary Schools, Church Education Secretaries, Teacher Associations, Association of Trust Schools, Independent Colleges and Responsible Authorities reads in part:
Therefore, for the year, 2024, AUTHORITY IS GRANTED for schools to conduct vacation school during the August holidays for the examination classes of Grade 7, Form Four (4) and Upper Six (6.
1. The holiday lessons will take place between 19 and 30 August, a period of ten (10) working days only.
2. Primary schools will charge USD$2.00 per Learning Area per Grade 7 pupil or its equivalent bank rate in Zimbabwe Gold currency.
3. Secondary Schools will charge USD$3.00 per Learning Area for Form Four (4) and USD$5.00 per Learning Area for Upper Six (6) or its equivalent bank rate in Zimbabwe Gold currency.
4. All borders will pay an extra USD$4.00 per day for their upkeep during the Vacation School period.
5. Parents and guardians should receive receipts at the point of payment and proper books of accounts must be effectively managed and maintained for audit trail.
6. The Vacation School should be fully supervised and monitored by the Inspectorate, together with the District Literacy Coordinators and the Remedial Tutors.
7. Pupils should turn out in their school uniforms and teachers should be appropriately dressed. The tenets of Safe to Learn principles with reference to the pupil safeguarding Circulars should be upheld and made reference to.
8. Every effort should be made to engage parents and /or guardians so that all candidates benefit from the Vacation School.
The Ministry further stipulated that the funds collected by both day schools and boarding schools, excluding the boarding expenses, should be utilised in the following manner:
- 30% of the funds should be allocated for stationery and learning materials
- 20% should be directed towards administrative expenses
- 50% should be set aside for teacher appreciation
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