Two prestigious schools, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Gateway_High_School/">Gateway High School</a> and <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Lomagundi_College/">Lomagundi College</a>, have been taken to court by parents of students who are aggrieved over the schools’ decision to withhold their “O” and “A” Level exam results due to outstanding tuition fees. The parents of the affected students sought the assistance of Tinashe Chinopfukutwa from ZLHR Lawyers to help them secure the release of their children’s examination results.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Chinopfukutwa filed an urgent application at the Chinhoyi Magistrates Court on behalf of the parents, seeking an order that would compel Lomagundi College to provide the child’s Cambridge “A” Level exam results within 24 hours of the court order being granted. In the court application, Chinopfukutwa argued that withholding the exam results to coerce payment was unlawful and extortionate. He further contended that the student’s educational planning was being hindered, as application deadlines for certain programs had already passed. The longer the school authorities withheld the results, the more uncertain the student’s future would become. The court is set to hear and determine the application on Thursday 15 February 2024.
Regarding Gateway High School, Chinopfukutwa wrote a letter demanding the release of “O” Level exam results for a 16-year-old student who sat for her Cambridge exams in November 2023. The results were being withheld due to alleged outstanding school fees. Chinopfukutwa stated that the parents had engaged with the school authorities multiple times, attempting to establish a payment plan to settle the arrears and requesting access to their daughter’s results. However, their efforts proved futile as the school authorities evaded their requests.
Chinopfukutwa argued that the student’s inability to access her “O” Level results prevented her from applying for “A” Level studies and planning her educational future. Additionally, “A” Level students had already enrolled in schools across the country, resulting in the students losing valuable learning time due to the withheld exam results. The human rights lawyer protested against the school authorities’ conduct, stating that it violated the student’s right to education as enshrined in the Education Act. He also argued that the authorities were infringing upon the child’s best interests, as outlined in the Constitution, by refusing to provide her with the exam results.
Chinopfukutwa warned Gateway High School authorities that if they failed to release the student’s exam results, legal action would be taken to compel them to do so.
The government has a policy that states schools should not prevent students from learning or withhold their results due to unpaid fees. However, the government has been reminding parents to pay fees to ensure smooth school operations. <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/02/08/govt-directive-to-school-heads-over-payment-of-fees-backfires/">The government is aware that many parents especially in public schools are not paying fees</a> after the government’s directive against turning away students for non-payment. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerai Moyo, acknowledged this and emphasized the importance of parents fulfilling their role in providing everything necessary for their child’s education.
For those who cannot afford fees, the government has introduced the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) as a safety net. But there are payment issues as the money is sometimes not paid on time. Minister Moyo also expressed concern about corruption in the selection of BEAM beneficiaries by school administrators. He encouraged schools to organize fundraising projects to lessen the burden on parents.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

Parents Sue Elite Schools Over Withheld Exam Results

The High Court has ordered the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) not to withhold students’ results on account of non-payment of tuition fees.
The UZ Students Representative Council (SRC) approached the courts challenging UZ’s decision to increase tuition fees in 2022.
UZ also restricted students’ access to the examination results via its online platform if they had not settled the arrears of tuition fees it had gazetted.
On Friday, 20 January, High Court judge, Justice Tawanda Chitapi, ordered UZ to release examination results to the concerned students and arrange a payment plan with them for outstanding fees.
Justice Chipato also froze the hike of fees by UZ pending the court case in which the students are arguing, through their lawyer Tendai Biti, that the increase was unconstitutional and unjustified. Said the judge:
<blockquote>
Pending the delivery of judgment in Case No. HC 6194/22 reserved by Hon. Chitapi Jon 30 November 2022, the 1st respondent shall not enforce tuition fees set out in ordinance No. 63 dated 6 September 2022.
The 1st respondent is interdicted from withholding the release of results of the two applicants and other students represented by the 1st applicant on account of non-payment of the tuition fees set out in the ordinance.
The first applicant’s members and the second applicant shall however be required upon collection of their results to enter into payment arrangements with the first respondent in terms of which they undertake to pay the difference of the tuition fees set out in ordinance 63 and the previous semester fees levied before the ordinance. Each party bears its own cost.
</blockquote>
UZ was cited as the first respondent with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary education as the second respondent. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/high-court-orders-uz-to-release-of-examination-results-orders-institution-not-to-enforce-fee-hike/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

High Court Orders UZ To Release Exam Results And Bars Fees Hike

The Government has urged parents to be responsible and pay school fees for their children.
This is despite the Government promising to roll out universal free basic education starting this year, a commitment that has not materialised.
School heads told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200006035/schools-defy-govt-on-fees-uniforms">NewsDay</a> that they were failing to effectively run schools because the number of parents who had not paid fees was very high.
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said parents are obliged to pay school fees. He said:
<blockquote>
Parents were obliged to pay fees in full or make payment plans with school authorities where they have challenges.
There are situations whereby some parents have not paid their children’s fees for two consecutive terms and they still send their children to school when they have not engaged the authorities. School heads have raised those issues with us.
They know very well that they can’t turn away pupils over non-payment of fees, but they are left with no option when parents are reluctant to meet their obligation. We encourage parents to be responsible on the issue of paying fees.
The Primary and Secondary Education ministry does not tolerate a situation whereby pupils roam around the streets (after being) turned away from school.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe National Union of School Heads Munyaradzi Majoni said some parents are unwilling to pay school fees and this leaves school authorities with no option but to send their children home. He said:
<blockquote>
Schools are non-profit making institutions, therefore, they need every cent due from parents to be able to run smoothly.
If we let some pupils attend school, while enjoying the services that they did not pay for, then we discourage those parents and guardians who are consistent with paying fees for their children.
We understand that the economic environment is not favourable for every parent to afford school fees.
What is worrisome is that over the holidays, school heads opened their doors for parents who had challenges in paying fees to come and make payment plans, but few heeded the calls.
It shows a disappointing carelessness on the part of the parents. School authorities will be left with no option, but to turn away the children who have not paid their fees in full.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Teachers Association secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said:
<blockquote>
The issue of fees payment for teachers’ children has caused confusion in schools. Some teachers have already stopped paying fees for their children, while government has not met its promise.
It’s not certain whether this year government will pay the fees because it has been going back and forth throughout last year.
Government has also not yet paid the 2022 third term fees for pupils under [the Basic Education Assistance Module], yet the 2023 first term fees are required already.
</blockquote>

Govt Tells Parents To Be Responsible And Pay School Fees For Their Children

Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Amon Murwira has defended current university fee increases saying they are now lower compared to 2017.
Most State universities have increased fees from around ZWL$50 000 for undergraduate degrees to between ZW$215 000 up to a high of ZWL$358 000 per semester.
Based on the official exchange rate currently standing at US$1:ZWL$628.19 the lowest fees at university now stands between a low of US$342.25 and a high of US$569.89.
Postgraduate students now have to pay an equivalent of between US$469 and US$912.14.
Speaking during an interview with <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/university-education-is-now-cheaper-than-before-struggling-students-must-apply-for-jobs-for-fees-programme-says-higher-education-minister/">NewZimbabwe.com</a> on Thursday, Murwira said part of the fees is ancillary fees set by the universities. He said:
<blockquote>
If you compare the current fee thresholds with what was being charged in 2017, you will note that the fees are now much cheaper.
Back then state university fees were around US$400 but right now we are at around US$200.
Remember, we only approved between ZW$184 000 and a high of ZW$220 000 with the remainder being ancillary fees set by the universities.
</blockquote>
Murwira refused to link the fee structures with current salaries in the economy saying that his mandate is to oversee the efficient provision of higher and tertiary education. He added:
<blockquote>
We are supporting our students in the best way we can. We have a work-for-fees program. We also have a student loan program which even has a very low uptake.
Every student is eligible to take up that loan right now. We have got more than ZW$200 million ready for take-ups. This is what the government is currently doing.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president, Takavafira Zhou, said the university fee hikes have relegated education to a privilege and not a right. He said:
<blockquote>
At worst it must be, therefore, accessible and affordable. The government is to blame and so is the Minister.
In fact, Minister Murwira is always off-side if we are to recall his utterances urging graduating students to build schools.
That only reflect is an achievement way beyond the reach of ordinary citizens and only within reach of the government and development partners
Instead, he must lobby the government and key stakeholders to give students flexible loans, payment terms and grants so that education does not become a preserve of the rich.
</blockquote>

University Fees Now Lower Than In 2017 - Murwira

Higher, Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Minister Amon Murwira has justified the recent tuition fee increase at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) arguing that the government is already subsidising tertiary education in the country.
The UZ hiked fees by more than 700 per cent, with students now expected to pay an equivalent of US$1 000 per semester.
Speaking at a Press conference on Thursday as he welcomed a Russian Federation delegation that is set to tour the country’s tertiary institutions, Murwira said:
<blockquote>
If only we could compare Zimbabwe with southern Africa, we have a relatively lower level of fees. I am avoiding saying the word cheap because we are subsidising higher education.
If we were not subsiding, it would be around US$10 000. The issue with the UZ is that they met on August 18 and they agreed on the fees that they are going to charge. Let’s separate politics (from) education. We are not going to entertain that.
</blockquote>
The tuition fee hike sparked protests at the UZ’s Mt Pleasant campus that resulted in 19 students being arrested early this week.
UZ Students Representative Council (SRC) spokesperson Takunda Gift Chinoda denied claims that there was an agreement on the new fee structure. He said:
<blockquote>
As SRC we want to distance ourselves from the claim by the administration that we agreed on the 30% US dollar increment of fees.
The administration justified the fee hike whereas SRC disagreed.
</blockquote>
Chinoda called on students to continue putting pressure on UZ authorities to reverse the fee increment. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200000544/minister-defends-uzs-1000-fee-hike">NewsDay</a>

Minister Murwira Defends University Of Zimbabwe Tuition Fees Hike

Amnesty International (AI) has condemned the arrest of more than a dozen University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students who were arrested following a protest at the Mt Pleasant Campus on Monday.
The students were peacefully protesting against the recent unilateral tuition fee hikes which they felt were too exorbitant and beyond the reach of many.
In a statement Thursday, Lucia Masuka, Executive Director of Amnesty International Zimbabwe, urged authorities to drop the charges against the students. She said:
<blockquote>
Authorities must drop sinister charges against University of Zimbabwe students who have been peacefully protesting high fees and affirm their right to freedom of assembly and expression.
It is such a travesty of justice that these students are having to spend time in detention and courtrooms for simply asking for affordable education so that they can remain in lecture rooms.
The arrests of these students, who were protesting peacefully, are a violation of their right to protest.
Authorities must respect students’ right to peaceful protest and drop all charges against them.
We consider the arrests to be arbitrary and call on the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to respect the freedom to petition and demonstrate as guaranteed by the constitution.
</blockquote>
The 14 students who were arrested on Monday, detained and charged with disorderly conduct were identified as Thelma Nzero, Mufaro Vhutuza, Owen Mashaya, Tinashe Zana, Tinotenda Mwenje, Fletcher Katehwe, Havana Mtetwa, Natasha Dhliwayo, Ropafadzo Mutangadura, Fatima Ajida, Tsungai Chitodha, Beyond Wendy Siwela, David Musasa, and Godknows Zabhura.
Five other students were arrested on Wednesday. They have been identified as Tivimba Musengi, Tinotenda Mangana, Hazel Gwande, Tanyaradzwa Nzvimbo, and Charles Moyo.
Some of the students were released on bail while others were released late on Tuesday after paying ZW$2 000 admission of guilt fines for disorderly conduct.
The students were represented by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR). | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/amnesty-international-condemns-crackdown-on-protesting-uz-students-calls-for-end-to-arbitrary-arrests/">New Zimbabwe.com</a>

Amnesty International Condemns Arrest Of UZ Students

Sixteen (16) University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students who were arrested on Monday in connection with demonstrations against tuition fee hikes have all been released.
UZ recently increased undergraduate fees to between ZWL$300 000 and ZWL$500 000, up from ZWL$50 000, while some Master’s degree programme tuition fees were increased to close to ZWL$1 million.
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) leader, Allan Chipoyi said the 16 students were all released. He said:
<blockquote>
Since Monday, police have been looking for the organisers of the demonstration that happened and they arrested 16 students who have so far been freed.
</blockquote>
Two of the students, Thelma Nzero (19) and Tinotenda Mwenje (21) appeared before Harare Magistrate, Taurai Manuwere and were remanded out of custody to 29 September.
The two, who were among 14 suspects that were detained at Avondale Police Station, were released on free bail Wednesday.
Their alleged accomplices were released on Tuesday after paying ZWL$2 000 admission of guilty fines at the police station for disorderly conduct.
Meanwhile, police arrested five more UZ students on Wednesday as they continued their search for the organisers of the Monday protests at the Mt Pleasant Campus. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/5-more-uz-students-arrested-over-feesmustfall-protest/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

UZ Students Who Were Arrested Over #FeesMustFall Protest Released

Police arrested five more University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students on Wednesday in connection with demonstrations against tuition fee hikes that took place on Monday at the Mt Pleasant campus.
The five are Tinovimba Musengi, Hazel Gwande, Purpose Mangana, Tanyaradzwa Nzvimbo and Charles Moyo.
They were detained at Avondale Police Station pending their court appearance.
On Monday, 16 students were arrested for allegedly participating in the demonstration.
The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) leader, Allan Chipoyi told NewZimbabwe.com that the 16 have since been freed. Said Chipoyi:
<blockquote>
Since Monday, police have been looking for the organisers of the demonstration that happened and they arrested 16 students who have so far been freed.
Today some students were trying to stop others from attending classes as they had agreed that they are staying home, and no one must attend lectures until the issue has been addressed.
The police and UZ security started chasing away students and that is when the five students got arrested.
It is unfair as no one knows if they were part of those who were trying to stop others or not.
</blockquote>
UZ recently increased undergraduate fees to between Z$300 000 and Z$500 000, up from Z$50 000, while some Master’s degree programme tuition fees were increased to close to Z$1 million.
Chipoyi called for dialogue between students and the university administration on the way forward. He said:
<blockquote>
The administration must understand that our parents are peasants and they do not afford such huge amounts of fees.
We need dialogue with the administration on the way forward so we can agree on a more reasonable amount.
</blockquote>

Five More UZ Students Arrested Over Demonstration

University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students have petitioned Parliament seeking it to intervene over the recent sharp tuition fees hike and guarantee that they enjoy their right to education.
This comes after UZ increased its fees by more than 600%. Undergraduates will now pay $485 500, up from $60 526, while those studying for masters programmes will fork out $1 million per semester. Reads the petition:
<blockquote>
The proposed tuition fees are not considerate of the other essential expenses every student has to go through.
Most students are not from Harare which means they need to cover their accommodation and with where the university campus is located, surrounded by low-density suburbs, the accommodation charges are higher than US$50 per month.
The average salary of a civil servant is US$175. At that amount, the majority of parents cannot afford to pay the proposed fees since they also have to cover family basic expenses.
To consider our petition as an urgent matter and immediately intervene in the UZ fees-making process to guarantee that the right to basic education is respected through the charging of affordable fees.
</blockquote>
The students said the tuition fees must be pegged at $200 000 and below for all degree programmes. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200000441/parliament-petitioned-over-hefty-uz-fees">NewsDay</a>

UZ Students Petition Parliament Over Tuition Fees Hike

Sixteen (16) University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students were arrested Monday for participating in a demonstration at the Mt Pleasant campus over a recent tuition fee hike.
The students were expected to appear at the Harare Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
They were reportedly dragged out of hostels by the police using evidence of pictures circulating on social media.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said that three student leaders were assaulted while in police detention.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has condemned the arrests and demanded the students’ unconditional release. It said:
<blockquote>
The number of students arrested as of Monday’s UZ demo has risen to 16. We continue to call for the unconditional release of the students, who we believe have no case to answer for all they did was peacefully demand affordable university fees.
</blockquote>
UZ increased undergraduate fees were increased from ZW$50 000 to between ZWL$300 000 and ZWL$500 000, while some Master’s degree students will need to pay ZWL$1 million.
The tuition fee hike prompted students to protest on campus threatening to boycott classes until the increase is reversed. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/16-uz-students-arrested-for-staging-fees-protest-expected-in-court-today/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

16 UZ Students Arrested For Protesting Over Tuition Fees Hike

Harare lawyer Tendai Biti has criticised the country’s biggest university, the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), for increasing tuition fees, describing the hike as “unjustified, irrational and unlawful.”
UZ recently increased tuition fees from ZWL$50 000 to half a million Zimbabwean dollars.
Biti, who is a former Minister of Finance, warned that parents and guardians will find it difficult to raise the new fees. He said:
<blockquote>
The massive tuition fee increases of over 700% at the University of Zimbabwe are irrational and unlawful.
Asking parents to fork out US$1 300 per semester for tuition alone is ridiculous.
Moreso when UZ received an additional $4.5 billion in the Supplementary Budget to take the total to $7.9 billion.
Education is a basic human right protected by section 88 of the Constitution. It is at the core of the right to human dignity.
ZANU PF’s actions at UZ are a blatant assault on the right to education. They betray the absence of an ideology or inner morality guiding the regime. Shocking bankruptcy.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana, said UZ students should resort to schemes such as payment plans. He tweeted:
<blockquote>
There are students whose domestic situations are such that they may struggle to pay fees.
Universities run different support schemes to assist these students to meet their fees.
Some unis like the UZ have these schemes; 1- Work Study Programmes, 2- Fees Payment Plans and 3- Student Loans.
</blockquote>
On Monday UZ students staged a flash demonstration demanding that authorities reverse the recent tuition fee hike. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/biti-wades-into-uz-tuition-fees-standoff-says-new-rates-are-unjustified-irrational-and-unlawful/">NewZimbabwe</a>

UZ Tuition Fee Hike "Unjustified, Irrational And Unlawful" - Biti

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Evelyn Ndlovu, says parents whose children have been turned away from school for failing to pay school fees in foreign currency should report the schools to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC).
Responding to questions from senators in Parliament on Thursday, Ndlovu said government policy does not obligate payment of school fees in foreign currency.
Senator Tichinani Mavetera (ZANU PF), asked Ndlovu to clarify the government’s policy on the payment of school fees. In response, Ndlovu said:
<blockquote>
The policy is very clear; our local currency can be used to pay fees.
We have a challenge as seen on social media which have decided to come up with their own policies. We, as the ministry, call upon school heads to accept local currency fees.
Our population continues to break the law.
We have instructed our law enforcement agent ZACC to check all those schools demanding fees in local currency.
I call upon all parents to resist the school heads’ outrageous demands and report them to ZACC.
</blockquote>
However, Mavetera asked Ndlovu whether it is the duty of ZACC or the Minister of Education to bring order to the schools. Ndlovu responded:
<blockquote>
… the police force resides in another portfolio (Home Affairs ministry). I am serving the nation as my mandate.
Maybe the Senator can advise on the methodology I can use to control the situation.
</blockquote>
Reports indicate that most schools countrywide were refusing to accept the Zimbabwe Dollar and instead demanding the United States Dollar before they enrolled learners for the third term which commenced on Monday. | <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/i-dont-control-the-police-says-education-minister-as-senator-presses-her-on-schools-demanding-fees-in-usd/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

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