The government has announced changes to the dates for the August 2024 holiday school classes. The new schedule will be from August 9 to August 22, instead of the previously announced August 19 to August 30, reported the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/government-changes-schools-closing-date-for-examination-classes/">Chronicle</a>.
This revised calendar means that when schools close for the Second Term on August 8, public examination-sitting classes – including Grade 7, Form 4, and Form 6 students – will continue with lessons until August 22.
The changes were confirmed by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mike Mhike, in a statement sent to educational authorities across the country.
According to Mhike, the new holiday school calendar will enable the Ministry to conduct more effective supervision and oversight of schools during this critical examination preparation period. He said:
<blockquote>
Following the release of the Secretary’s Circular Number 6 of 2024 on the above subject matter and the engagements that followed thereafter, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education informs that the Vacation School for August holidays will run from 9 August to 22 August for all schools. The timeframe of 19th to 30 August as given earlier, is cancelled.
The rest of the Secretary’s Circular Number 6 of 2024 content remains the same. The decision taken to this effect will allow Grade 7, Form Four and Upper Six pupils to continue with learning while the rest of the grades and forms close schools on the 8th of August 2024.
</blockquote>
Mhike also said that the latest decision will reduce the travel costs that boarders would have faced under the previous vacation school calendar.
He added that the new dates will enable the inspectorate to monitor vacation schools within a standardised timeframe for all institutions.
Mhike said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reserves the right to further revise this statement.
The fees for these vacation lessons were set at the following rates per subject (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.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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The government changed the dates for August holiday classes for Grade 7, Form 4, and Form 6 learners. Instead of August 19-30, classes will now be from August 9-22. This change will help the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education supervise exam preparation. The fees for these classes are $2 for Grade 7, $3 for Form 4, and $5 for Form 6. Boarding students will also pay extra. Parents can pay in any currency they prefer. This decision may be revised in the future.

Grade 7, Form 4 And Form 6 Learners To Close On 22 August

Teacher unions have said no law prohibits their members from conducting holiday lessons. This comes after the Government issued a warning of disciplinary measures for schools who defied the directive to refrain from organising vacation school during this April holiday, citing the need for learners to rest.
Across the country, several schools, including one administered by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), are reportedly conducting holiday lessons specifically for examination classes.
According to <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200025663/govt-teachers-square-off-over-holiday-lessonsno-law-criminalises-the-act-teachers-argue">NewsDay</a>, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga reportedly approved holiday lessons for the Zimbabwe Republic Police High School, which is located in Hatcliffe, Harare.
The school will be conducting holiday lessons starting from April 4 to 15, 2024 and also April 19 to 30, 2024.
The ZRP is charging US$100 for internal learners and US$159 for external learners.
In a circular dated March 25, 2024, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education’s permanent secretary banned schools from conducting lessons during the holiday because learning during the first term was uninterrupted.
Speaking to NewsDay, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said that extra lessons are good for learners. Said Majongwe:
<blockquote>
The most important question we are asking is: Why does the government want to criminalise good effort? No teacher is spending time with learners to dampen their performance. Extra lessons are in good intent. Which law criminalises teaching?
Teachers are professionals and they are practising what they are trained for. Have we seen soldiers and cops being penalised for offering their services privately? Why does the government hate teachers so much?
Government should tell us the law under which it is banning holiday lessons. We are ready to challenge whoever harasses teachers for practising their profession.
Has government been charged for failing to provide basics to schools as enshrined in the Constitution?
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads secretary-general Munyaradzi Majoni said the ban has only fuelled the “black market” for extra lessons. Said Majoni:
<blockquote>
We know that parents are not comfortable having their children who are candidates this year at home for 39 days and, hence, it is those same parents who choose to send their children to those backyard and unregistered private schools to access the necessary education which was banned on the official market.
As far as we know, no public school is involved in the holiday lessons business and so they will find nothing if they visit these schools.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) secretary-general Goodwill Taderera:
<blockquote>
If any schools are conducting holiday lessons, it means they defied the government. But I don’t think there are public schools that defied the order.
Probably it’s the private schools or those unregistered schools that are in defiance. But our position is, if there is a circular from the ministry, then it should be adhered to.
</blockquote>
Primary and Secondary Education Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro was quoted as saying that 0,001% of schools were in defiance of the government’s directive not to conduct holiday lessons.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

No Law Criminalises Holiday Lessons, Teachers Challenge Govt Ban

School authorities allowing extra lessons to be conducted at their institutions during this April holiday risk disciplinary action being taken against them.
This was said by Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) communications and advocacy director, Taungana Ndoro, on Friday, April 12.
Posting on X, Ndoro said the ban on vacation school during this holiday is still in place, adding that school authorities should allow learners to rest. Said Ndoro:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education emphasizes compliance with the directive regarding Vacation School during the April holiday.
Schools that violate this directive may face appropriate disciplinary measures. It is crucial to prioritize the well-being and independent learning of pupils during this break.
</blockquote>
The Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Chris Mhike, issued the directive banning vacation school classes towards the end of the 2024 First Term. He said:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education acknowledges the conduct of teaching and learning in all schools which went seamlessly during the first term of the year, fully embracing the 56 days set aside for that process.
The dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to educating and nurturing the young minds of our pupils have not gone unnoticed.
The creativity and passion brought about by all our teachers in the classrooms that made learning engaging, interactive and inspiring for our pupils is commended and the Ministry remains grateful.
The Ministry notes with appreciation the requests that have been received from some of its sectors to allow for the uptake of the Vacation School for examination classes of Grade 7, Ordinary and Advanced level during this April holiday.
Having consulted widely on the matter and taking cognisant of the fact that the school term had no disturbances at all to the teaching and learning programme, therefore, authority is NOT GRANTED that schools facilitate a Vacation School during the April school holidays for the Grade 7, Ordinary and Advanced level candidates, as well as for the non-examinations classes.
Pupils need this holiday break to rest and engage in independent learning where need be, including utilisation of the Zimbabwe Learning Passport amongst other alternative learning strategies.
We all look forward to the resumption of the second term set to begin on the 7th of May, 2024.
</blockquote>
However, a report by <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/schools-defy-govt-vacation-lessons-ban/">The Manica Post</a> on Friday indicated that several schools in Manicaland Province are conducting normal lessons in defiance of the government directive.
According to the report, vacation lessons are ongoing at schools such as Baring Primary School, Dangamvura Primary School, Murahwa Primary School and Rock of Ages.
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While some schools reportedly had Forms Four, Five and Six classes, others had the whole stream of learners in class for the usual day-to-day lessons.
Parents and guardians are being asked to pay US$1 per day per learner at primary school, and US$10 per subject for those in secondary schools.
Some of the private schools are charging as much as US$20 per subject for secondary school learners due to increased enrolment after some public schools heeded the Government directive.
An authority at a private school in Mutare who spoke to The Manica Post on condition of anonymity said they ignored the Government directive to prepare their learners for the forthcoming Cambridge examinations. 
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School Heads, Teachers Warned Over Holiday Lessons

Several schools in Manicaland Province have reportedly defied a Government directive not to have vacation school this holiday.
<a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/schools-defy-govt-vacation-lessons-ban/">The Manica Post</a> has established that several schools in the province are conducting normal lessons, despite the widely circulated directive by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to suspend lessons this April holiday.
According to the report, vacation lessons are ongoing at schools such as Baring Primary School, Dangamvura Primary School, Murahwa Primary School and Rock of Ages.
While some schools reportedly had Forms Four, Five and Six classes, others had the whole stream of learners in class for the usual day-to-day lessons.
Parents and guardians are being asked to pay US$1 per day per learner at primary school, and US$10 per subject for those in secondary schools.
Some of the private schools are charging as much as US$20 per subject for secondary school learners due to increased enrolment after some public schools heeded the Government directive.
An authority at a private school in Mutare who spoke to The Manica Post on condition of anonymity said they ignored the Government directive to prepare their learners for the forthcoming Cambridge examinations. Said the official:
<blockquote>
We find ourselves in a very difficult situation because we have Cambridge exams coming up on April 29, and for these kids not to attend classes, means they would have lost revision time. We have no option, but to offer these holiday lessons.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Acting Manicaland Provincial Education Director (PED), Richard Gabaza said the Government directive applies to all schools, private or public. He said:
<blockquote>
Generally, yes, they (schools) took heed. Some even tried to apply to have vacation lessons, but the applications were turned down in line with the Government directive.
The directive applied to all schools, private or public. All schools operate under the Education Act, and everyone must abide by the statutes outlined in that Act.
</blockquote>
He said they will investigate the reports, and schools caught violating the directive will be penalised.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Schools Defy Government Vacation Lessons Ban

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has engaged the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to help fight the practice of charging fees for extra lessons by teachers.
In an interview with the <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/corruption-charges-for-teachers-demanding-extra-lessons-fee/">Sunday News</a>, the Ministry’s Director of Communication and Advocacy Taungana Ndoro said teachers who charge fees for extra lessons will be arrested for corruption. He said:
<blockquote>
With regard to extra lessons, the Ministry’s position remains clear. Paid extra lessons, particularly during the school term remain illegal and parents and guardians are advised not to continue feeding the beast by continuously paying for these extra lessons as they exacerbate the situation that we are currently facing.
This practise of paying for extra lessons is a chargeable offence and an act of misconduct.
It is criminal abuse of office and corruption basically which is why we are working together with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to curb this scourge.
</blockquote>
Ndoro said the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is working with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that teachers charging for extra lessons are penalised. He said:
<blockquote>
We are also working with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other authorities to try and combat this.
Parents and teachers should both be held liable under the law for aiding and abetting this form of corruption.
The Ministry has put in place platforms on social media where people can report such practise so that action is immediately taken in conjunction with the relevant authorities.
Parents can send reports to our WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter or even to our websites. You can even call our toll-free line, directly to our offices so that we can together tackle this scourge and ensure that all our learners continue to receive quality education and no one, and no place is left behind.
</blockquote>
He said parents who pay teachers for extra lessons are also at risk of facing corruption charges. Said Ndoro:
<blockquote>
The idea of feeding the beast means that parents are complicit in aiding teachers that are demanding illicit payments for extra lessons and in most cases, these teachers end up not doing the job for which they are already paid for, for which they are already on a government salary, for which they are already on a responsible authority’s salary.
Therefore, these paid-for extra lessons remain illegal and banned.
</blockquote>
On 30 March, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education announced a ban on holiday lessons, saying learners needed time to rest.
The Ministry also argued that the 2023 school calendar was never interrupted by COVID-19 hence there was no need for schools and teachers to conduct extra lessons during this April holiday.
However, teachers across the country have defied the ban saying making learners pay for extra lessons is a way of supplementing their salaries.
Some high school boarding teachers are reportedly renting buildings in the central business district as well as churches to conduct extra lessons and charging US$10 per subject.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Extra Lessons: Teachers, Parents Face Corruption Charges - Govt

The Government has continued its crackdown on holiday extra lessons with several teachers arrested countrywide.
In late March the Government announced a ban on holiday lessons, saying learners needed time to rest.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education also argued that the 2023 school calendar was never interrupted by COVID-19 hence there was no need for schools and teachers to conduct extra lessons during this April holiday.
However, teachers are reportedly conducting private lessons in odd places such as bedrooms and church premises to evade authorities.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200010418/teachers-defy-ban-on-extra-lessons">NewsDay</a> reported that a Chivhu district schools inspector, Emmanuel Kwenda, busted teachers who were conducting extra lessons at an Apostolic Faith Church premises last Friday.
In Marondera, four teachers were recently arrested by the police for conducting holiday lessons.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said extra lessons remained banned. He said:
<blockquote>
Those (teachers) that continue doing that will be sanctioned.
</blockquote>
However, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) secretary-general Raymond Majongwe said the Government should pay teachers decent salaries.
Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads secretary-general Munyaradzi Majoni said:
<blockquote>
They (government) suppressed the formalised extra-lesson system and they promoted the clandestine system which is in full swing and thriving.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Teachers Association secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said:
<blockquote>
The current crop of learners really needs extra lessons. Apart from being affected by COVID-19, the government is not paying teachers enough for them to do their best in school.
</blockquote>
While the government has declared that paid extra lessons were illegal, teachers are among the lowest-paid civil servants and extra lessons will most likely not go away any time soon as the impoverished educators try to make ends meet.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Teachers Arrested Over Extra Lessons

Schools and teachers across the country have defied a recent government ban on holiday lessons for learners.
On 30 March, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education announced a ban on holiday lessons, saying learners needed time to rest.
The Ministry also argued that the 2023 school calendar was never interrupted by COVID-19 hence there was no need for schools and teachers to conduct extra lessons during this April holiday.
One teacher who takes children for extra lessons in her Emganwini home in Bulawayo told <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/teachers-defy-government-ban-on-holiday-extra-lessons/">ZimLive</a> that she charged her primary school learners US$5 per week. The teacher said:
<blockquote>
Most of the students here are from my class at the school that I teach.
I charge a minimum fee for my services and this complements my monthly income.
The extra lessons also help students, especially those who are lagging behind in class to catch up.
</blockquote>
Some high school boarding teachers are reportedly renting buildings in the central business district to conduct extra lessons and charging US$10 per subject.
However, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is against the milking of parents by teachers through extra lessons.
ARTUZ spokesperson Thembakuye Moyo told ZimLive that despite the financial challenges faced by teachers, the union does not recommend extra lessons as a means of making money. Moyo said:
<blockquote>
As ARTUZ, we are a pro-poor union, a union that is biased towards the masses.
We have always been clear that teachers are paid by the government. No parent or guardian should pay a teacher for extra lessons.
Some of the reasons why teachers could be conducting extra lessons could be that they are hungry and at the same time, learners are performing badly.
Some teachers could genuinely be doing this as a means of trying to improve their students’ results.
</blockquote>
While the government has declared that paid extra lessons were illegal, teachers are among the lowest-paid civil servants and extra lessons will most likely not go away any time soon as the impoverished educators try to make ends meet.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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