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Africa: Subsaharan
Zimbo thugs shut down private schools
2004-05-04
THE showdown between the Government and private schools intensified yesterday as Government toughened its stance and began shutting down some private boarding schools that had opened ahead of today’s start to the second school term, for increasing school fees without its approval. About 30 000 children are affected. Police officers were yesterday deployed to 45 private schools throughout the country that had allegedly refused to abide by the Government’s order not to increase school fees, to ensure that these schools do not open for classes today.

Police chief spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena yesterday confirmed that the Ministry of (no)-Education, (no)-Sport and non-Culture had furnished the police with a list of the schools that it said had not conformed with its requirements. The Education Act, which governs the operations of schools in the country, stipulates that no responsible authority of a non-Government school may charge a fee, or increase a fee by more than the prescribed amount, without seeking approval from the Secretary for non-Education. The maximum increase in the absence of approval is 10 percent a year, but most private schools have continued to disregard this regulation, arguing that this fell far short of the cost of providing a decent education and maintaining school facilities. In Harare, some private schools had by yesterday evening heeded the call not to reopen until they come to an agreement with Government over the fees and levies to be charged... Cde Chigwedere yesterday remained resolute that the schools would not be opened until they complied with Government regulations. He said private schools were governed by the laws? of Zimbabwe and, as such, should abide by those laws? if they wanted to stay in operation.
Rhodies didnt shut too many schools down, did start a lot of them, though, doesn’t count.
Several schools have said that they have not had their fee proposals either accepted or rejected, some for several terms. On these allegations that the ministry was taking too long to respond to proposals to hike fees, Cde Chigwedere said these were "outright lies". He said, under the Education Act, schools were only allowed to apply for authority to increase fees once a year.
Cde Chigwedere said even if the ministry took long to etc, etc. In his speech marking the 24th anniversary of Independence on April 18, soon-to-be dead-President Mugabe said "Our principal goal of attaining education for all appears to be in real jeopardy with some schools charging as much as $10 million ? a term. Government will soon come up with arrangements which will continue to make education accessible to each and every child regardless of his status or family background."
They’ve only had 24 years, so it will be real soon, someday.
So where do these arses (ZANU-PF) kids go to school? Paris, Basle, America? Any answers? Talk about dragging everyone down with them, (which is what we knew would happen).
Oops, first major rant, apologies for how it turns out.
Posted by:rhodesiafever

#1  comments); ?>werwer
Posted by: Pappy   2004-05-04 10:10:17 PM  

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