Raymond Majongwe, secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), criticized the government’s decision to allow pregnant learners to remain in school, arguing that it undermines discipline.
This decision is part of a set of regulations gazetted by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo on Friday, 14 February, through Statutory Instrument 13 of 2025.
Section 12 of the regulations mandates that if a girl becomes pregnant, the school must provide psycho-social support to help her through the process. It reads:
<blockquote>
Where a girl who is a pupil at a school becomes pregnant, the school head — (a) shall inform the parents of the girl as soon as possible if they are not already aware of the pregnancy, (b) shall facilitate psycho-social supportive services to the girl and parent, (c) if the girl and her parents so wish, the girl shall be permitted to remain at school for as long as possible before the delivery of her child, and to return thereafter as soon as her health and the health of her child permit it.
</blockquote>
In an interview with <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/local-news/article/200038581/teachers-reject-maternity-wards-in-schools">The Independent</a>, Majongwe said that allowing pregnant learners in school is akin to rewarding indiscipline. He said:
<blockquote>
While there are some positive takeaways from the recently gazetted education regulations, such as the protection of the girl child and ensuring that the impregnated girl is not the only one punished by banishing her from attending school while the perpetrator is left free, there are some provisions that raise more questions than answers.
A close look at the document gives the impression of making schools ungovernable. The government is creating a situation whereby it will be difficult to discipline learners. It seems to reward indiscipline.
A learner who gets pregnant is ‘rewarded’ by being given special care rather than emphasising discipline.
The issue of allowing pregnant girls in schools defies logic. If a child engages in sex, it is grounds for expulsion from school, but if they get pregnant as a result of that sex, they are to be given psychosocial support and asked to remain in school.
</blockquote>
Majongwe emphasized the need for proper teacher training to effectively address the complexities introduced by the new regulations. He said:
<blockquote>
Will the government train teachers to handle these pregnant learners, because it requires special skills to deal with such delicate cases? Psychosocial support, as mentioned in the document, is no mean task.
The government has heaped another extra load on teachers, who are already grappling with heritage-based curriculum demands such as school-based projects.
Schools will be expected to create “maternity wards” in order to accommodate those, who may develop complications at school as a result of pregnancy.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Teachers in Zimbabwe are upset with a new rule that lets pregnant girls stay in school. They think it encourages bad behavior. The rule says schools must give support to pregnant girls and let them stay in school if they want. Schools will need to create special areas for girls with complications. Teachers worry about how to handle the new rules and if they have enough training. They say it will make it hard to control students and make schools chaotic. They don't agree with the idea of "maternity wards" in schools.

Teachers Reject "Maternity Wards" In Schools

The government has implemented new regulations that prohibit schoolchildren from visiting teachers’ quarters without a valid reason.
No student will be denied access to education due to non-payment of fees or levies, the absence of a birth certificate, pregnancy, or low academic performance.
These measures are part of a set of regulations gazetted by Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerayi Moyo, on Friday, 14 February, through Statutory Instrument 13 of 2025.
The new regulations aim to address societal issues such as drug abuse, sexual harassment, and bullying.
Section 12 stipulates that if a girl becomes pregnant, the school is required to provide psycho-social support to assist her through the process. It reads:
<blockquote>
Where a girl who is a pupil at a school becomes pregnant, the school head — (a) shall inform the parents of the girl as soon as possible if they are not already aware of the pregnancy, (b) shall facilitate psycho-social supportive services to the girl and parent, (c) if the girl and her parents so wish, the girl shall be permitted to remain at school for as long as possible before the delivery of her child, and to return thereafter as soon as her health and the health of her child permit it.
</blockquote>
Section 14 of the regulations prohibits students from visiting teachers’ quarters. It reads:
<blockquote>
14 (1) No pupils must be allowed at the school staff quarters. (2) Every school shall develop guidelines for the pupils to access staff offices and base rooms to ensure safety of the pupils. (3) Subsection (1) shall not apply where the pupil is a child or relative of the teacher or member of staff whose living-quarters he or she enters and resides in.
</blockquote>
Section 18 grants school heads the authority to suspend a student for up to 14 days if they reasonably suspect the student of serious misconduct, allowing time for investigations. It reads:
<blockquote>
No pupil may be suspended from school without first being granted a reasonable opportunity, with the support of his or her parents, to make representations with respect to the proposed suspension.
</blockquote>
Section 20 prohibits the exclusion of students from school due to non-payment of any fees or levies. However, it requires parents and guardians to settle school fees and levies before the start of each new term. Reads the regulations:
<blockquote>
Basic education is compulsory and, if the parents of the pupil cannot afford the tuition fees and levies at a Government school, the State shall assist, within the limits of the resources available to it, in providing that education.
Admission of children into Government schools; No school head shall exclude a child of school-going age from enrolment at a Government school solely on the ground that the child does not have a birth certificate.
No child of school-going age shall be denied admission into basic education in Government schools based on the quality of results he or she possesses.
</blockquote>

The government made new rules for schools: 

- Kids can't go to teachers' rooms unless it's important.
- No one can stop kids from going to school for not paying fees, having no birth certificate, being pregnant, or doing badly in school.
- The rules help with problems like drugs, harassment, and bullying.
- If a girl is pregnant, the school will help her and let her stay in school as long as possible.
- Students can't go to teachers' homes unless they are related or have permission.
- Schools can suspend students for up to 14 days if they do something very wrong.
- Kids can't be kept out of school for not paying fees, but parents should pay fees at the right time.
- All children should be allowed to go to school, even if they don’t have a birth certificate or if their results are not great.

New Regulations Prohibit Learners From Visiting Teachers' Quarters, Ensure Pregnant Pupils Remain In School

In the Toronto area of Penhalonga, located on the outskirts of Mutare, a devastating accident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon.
A speeding vehicle, allegedly driven by an intoxicated driver, struck three learners. Tragically, among the victims were the only two children of a local couple.
The incident occurred around 3 PM on Tuesday, March 12, at the 2-kilometer mark along Christmas Pass-Shamu Road.
The siblings, Silvian and Strive Maponde, and another learner, died on the spot.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the accident. Additionally, a fourth victim sustained injuries and was admitted to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital. Fortunately, he was discharged the following day.
In a statement, ZRP national spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi identified the deceased as Blessing Chasarira (nine), Silvian Maponde (13) and Strive Maponde (nine), all of Chirochangu Plot, Toronto. He said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a road traffic accident in which three learners were killed, while another learner was injured when a Toyota Fortuner vehicle veered off the road to the left and knocked down the learners who were crossing the road at the 2km peg along Christmas Pass-Shamu Road on March 12, 2023, at around 3 PM.
The victims were identified by their next of kin as Blessing Chasarira, Silvian Maponde and Strive Maponde. The bodies of the victims were taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for post-mortem, while the injured learner was admitted at the same hospital.
</blockquote>
Acting spokesperson for the ZRP in Manicaland Province, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka said the driver of the vehicle, John Dumbura, was being charged with culpable homicide.
Silvian Maponde was in Grade Six at Little St Augustine’s Primary School, while his sibling, Strive was in Grade Two at the same school. Chisarira was in Grade Two at Beaule Primary School.
According to witnesses who spoke to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/couple-loses-all-children-in-accident/">The Manica Post</a>, the driver of the vehicle was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and driving at high speed.
It is believed that Dumbura lost control of the speeding vehicle, leading to the tragic outcome.
Gift Maponde, a resident, faced unimaginable grief as his only two children had just disembarked from a kombi and were only a few meters away from their home. He said:
<blockquote>
My children, Silvian and Strive were hit by the car and died on the spot. They are gone. They had just disembarked from a kombi on their way home.
Even though I arrived a few moments after the accident, I saw the driver; he was visibly drunk. It happened around 3 pm since I had come from where I am employed as a security guard.
This is so devastating. I cannot believe that I no longer have any children. They were all taken in the blink of an eye.
This is so difficult to comprehend and adapt to. I am in extreme pain, and whoever did this must pay for his sins.
</blockquote>
Primrose Masiiyiwa, who said she witnessed the accident unfolding, said:
<blockquote>
I was coming from fetching water and saw these kids checking both sides of the road before crossing.
Everything happened so fast and the next thing I heard was a loud crashing sound. When I rushed to check what had happened.
I realised that the kids had been knocked down by the car and were lying in a bush by the roadside.
</blockquote>
Asst Comm Nyathi urged motorists to be alert and observe stipulated speed limits to safeguard lives and to abide by the road rules and regulations to curb road accidents.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Tragedy Strikes: Couple Loses All Children in Alcohol-Related Car Accident

Three schoolchildren died whilst another learner was injured when a Toyota Fortuner vehicle veered off the road to the left and knocked them down in Penhalonga around 3 PM on Tuesday, 12 March.
The boys were on their way home from school.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi on Wednesday said the pupils were crossing the road at the 2-kilometre peg along Christmas Pass-Shamu Road when they were hit.
In a statement, Asst Comm Nyathi said the victims were identified by their next of kin as follows: Blessing Chisaria (09) of Grange, Toronto (Chirochangu Plot); Silvian Maponde (13) of Grange, Toronto (Chirochangu Plot); and Strive Maponde (07) of Grange, Toronto (Chirochangu Plot). He added:
<blockquote>
The bodies of the victims were taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital mortuary for post-mortem whilst the injured pupil is admitted at the same hospital.
Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that motorists should be alert and observe stipulated speed limits to safeguard lives.
Above all, drivers are implored to abide by the road rules and regulations in order to curb road accidents.
</blockquote>
According to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/new-speeding-vehicle-kills-3-penhalonga-pupils/">The Manica Post</a>, Blessing Chisari was a Grade Two pupil at Beaule Primary, Silvyn Maponde was a Grade Six pupil at St Augustine’s Primary and his sibling Strive Maponde was in Grade Two.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Speeding Toyota Fortuner Ploughs Into Schoolchildren; 3 Killed, 1 Injured

St Albert’s Secondary School in Centenary, Mashonaland Central Province, recently suspended 304 pupils for taking part in “an illegal strike”.
The learners were suspended after walking 52km to Mt Darwin demonstrating against the expulsion of 23 others.
However, by Tuesday, some of the learners had returned to the school.
<a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/school-suspends-304-pupils-over-demos/">The Herald</a> reported sources as saying the 23 pupils had been expelled without the approval of the regional education office, as required by the law.
The learners had paid money for a disco to play in advance, but it got to the school when it was time for them to retire to bed.
After they became violent, the school headmistress allowed the disco to play into the early hours of Sunday, 18 September.
School-leavers and other outsiders who had been allowed to attend the disco were allegedly partly to blame for the damage which left some windows shattered.
Most of the suspended pupils are in Forms Two and Three with a few in Form One.
The learners who walked to Mt Darwin were also demanding that the school provide more textbooks for A-level Geography and Divinity pupils.
They were also protesting against alleged victimisation by some teachers who borrowed money from pupils and the quality and quantity of food the school was providing.
St Albert’s, which offers both day and boarding facilities, has a total of 625 pupils.
The other complaint raised by the learners was that a high number of teachers were allegedly going out with female pupils.
Following the protests, the headmistress of the school, Sister Romano Donato, sent circulars to the parents of the affected pupils.
She instructed the learners to write a report to the school indicating the reasons for taking part in an “illegal strike”.
The Herald reported that efforts to get comments from the regional office and the Ministry of Education and Culture were fruitless.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

School Suspends 304 Learners Over "Illegal Strike"

The Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) says the ongoing profiling of learners by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is in line with the recommendations made by the Nziramasanga Commission report.
The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Nziramasanga_Commision_of_Inquiry">Nziramasanga Commision of Inquiry</a> was commissioned by the late former President Robert Mugabe in 1998 to review the then and future needs of the education system in Zimbabwe.
The Ministry of Education said that the profiling of pupils will enable their grooming and the nurturing of their skills progressively.
Under the programme, “Learning Support Services Client Profile Database”, profiles will be created for every learner.
ZIMTA chief executive officer Sifiso Ndlovu told <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/education-ministry-profiles-learners/">the Chronicle</a> that profiling of learners should go hand in hand with CALA. He said:
<blockquote>
This should go hand in hand with the Continuous Assessment programme that the Ministry is implementing.
It should be able to assess the aptitudes of learners as they progress with their education to say a child is exhibiting traits of an electrical engineer and the child should be assisted in that development.
It is in line with the recommendations that were made by the Nziramasanga Report that the education path of children should be assessed progressively.
</blockquote>
Ndlovu, however, said the profiling of pupils is being done prematurely as some schools especially in rural communities do not have computers to update learners’ profiles.
He also noted that there is a shortage of teachers in some schools which may affect the full implementation of the project. Ndlovu said:
<blockquote>
We hope this programme will not come at the expense of the teacher, reducing their ability to concentrate on teaching learners. This will work in schools where the teacher-student ratio could be one is to 25.
But in areas where the teacher is attending to up to 50 learners, it will be difficult to implement as teachers will be overwhelmed.
</blockquote>
According to <a href="https://octopusbi.com/three-ways-learner-profiles-help-predict-student-growth/">Octopus,</a> learner profiles help predict student growth in three ways:
<ul>
<li>Learner profiles create a continuous chart of student variables and goals</li>
<li>Learner profiles inform decision-making about the student’s needs</li>
<li>Learner profiles engage students and parents in ownership &amp; active learning</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Learner Profiling Should Be Linked With CALA - ZIMTA

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has introduced a programme to profile learners to enable their grooming and the nurturing of their skills progressively.
Under the programme, “Learning Support Services Client Profile Database”, profiles will be created for every learner.
A school in Bulawayo sent a letter to parents and guardians inviting them to participate in the exercise. The letter, which was seen by the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/education-ministry-profiles-learners/">Chronicle</a>, reads in part:
<blockquote>
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE) is rolling out a programme to screen and profile learners in schools.
In this regard, the Learning Support Services is developing a system to enable schools to create profiles for individual learners.
A set of screening and profiling tools has therefore been introduced for use in schools. You are invited to the school for the data collection on your child.
It is an assessment of developmental domains of functioning in young children.
It is for individual child and parent benefit through child-centered approaches, referrals and monitoring.
… Let us avoid sending just anyone from the family e.g. driver, house helper, or a distant relative as this may lead to the collection of inaccurate data.
The collected information of individual learners will be fed to the Education Management Information System database and will be updated throughout their infant, junior and Secondary education years hence the need to supply accurate data.
</blockquote>
Primary and Secondary Education Ministry communications and advocacy director Taungana Ndoro said:
<blockquote>
This is going to assist in the management of the child so that when a certain talent is identified in the learner, we develop that talent from an early age.
We want to groom and nurture the skills that they have from the primary and secondary levels.
There is a lot of information that we need from the parents and guardians and we will even need information like the number of siblings and a lot of other things.
So, it’s a huge tool. We will collect data until the data of the last pupil in our school has been collected.
</blockquote>
Ndoro urged parents and guardians to cooperate with education officials during the exercise.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Ministry Of Education Profiles Learners

Learners at Mwenje Primary School in Makoni District recently foiled a demonstration by their parents against their headmistress at the school.
<a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/learners-turn-against-parents-in-defense-of-head/">The Manica Post</a> reported that the learners chased away their placard-waving parents and members of the community who wanted to stage a demonstration to push the headmistress, Zvichaguma Murahwa, to be transferred from the school.
The demonstrators, who were led by the School Development Committee (SDC) chairman, Tendai Nyasa, failed to access the satellite school’s premises as the learners attacked them.
Murahwa told The Manica Post that some members of the community say she has overstayed at the school therefore she should be transferred. She said:
<blockquote>
Some members of the community are saying I have overstayed at the school and I should leave just like other teachers who have left.
They are also claiming that I am behind the transfer of a teacher after some issues were raised against that teacher who opted to leave.
The SDC chairperson led the demonstration, waving placards. However, I am safe because they (demonstrators) were chased away by the learners.
Their issue is not emanating from the school but from other disputes in the community.
</blockquote>
Nyasa said there is a high turnover of teachers at the school which he blamed on the school head.
He also said there is a boundary dispute between the head’s parents and the community. Said Nyasa:
<blockquote>
There is a high turnover of teachers at the school because the head is frustrating teachers.
There are some misunderstandings over how school projects should be handled.
She constructed her personal house on a piece of land that we believe belongs to the school. The demarcations are not clear.
We are in the dark about a number of issues happening at the school. Parents went to the school on Monday to demonstrate, but learners attacked and insulted some parents, questioning what they want to do with their headmistress.
I think it is the head who incited them to revolt against us. She also has some parents who support her and they want the current SDC removed.
</blockquote>
There is a boundary dispute between the head’s parents and the community but we are not mixing issues.
Makoni District Schools Inspector, George Chidhakwa said that an audit team was sent to the school and came up with recommendations which he said will be implemented.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Learners Chase Parents Away From School In Defence Of Headmistress

Police have arrested three learners from Mathula High School in Tsholotsho District after they were filmed assaulting a female learner.
The suspects aged 16 and 17, reportedly assaulted the victim after she had turned down a love proposal from one of the learners.
ZRP national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development to CITE’s <a href="https://cite.org.zw/three-tsholotsho-learners-arrested-after-video-of-brutal-beating-goes-viral/">Senzeni Ncube</a>. He said:
<blockquote>
That case has been received by the police and we have located the complainant and the witnesses. We have arrested three suspects so far.
One suspect is aged 17 and the other two suspects are aged 16.
</blockquote>
It is alleged that after his love proposal was turned down, the 17-year-old suspect and his colleagues waylaid the complainant on her way home and then assaulted her.
One of the learners recorded the incident which showed one of the suspects brandishing a machete, which police consider a dangerous weapon and should not be carried in public. Added Asst Comm Nyathi:
<blockquote>
I confirm the police have taken action and we want to warn students against this behavior, against engaging in acts of bullying, against engaging in acts of criminality whilst at school and also urge parents to ensure that children behave well and they grow up being responsible citizens.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police Arrest Three Tsholotsho Learners After Video Of Brutal Assault Goes Viral

A Form Three learner at Maranatha High School in Bulawayo reportedly collapsed and died during sports on Thursday.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Director of Communications and Advocacy, Taungana Ndoro confirmed the incident to <a href="https://cite.org.zw/learner-collapses-and-dies-at-maranatha-high-school/">CITE</a> but could not immediately confirm her name. He said:
<blockquote>
I confirm the incident happened, they were just having a routine sporting event and she collapsed.
We pass our condolences to the family of the deceased including the school and the community where she grew up.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Bulawayo Province, Inspector Abednico Ncube, said they were investigating the matter.

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