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:
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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. 
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>
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Pindula News

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:
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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.
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Meanwhile, Acting Manicaland Provincial Education Director (PED), Richard Gabaza said the Government directive applies to all schools, private or public. He said:
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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.
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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 Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has issued a stern warning to teachers, emphasizing that demanding cash from parents for extra lessons and abusing learners is illegal.
During the 16th edition of the Commissioner General of Police’s Schools Merit Awards in Harare, ZRP Deputy Commissioner-General Stephen Mutamba asserted that they will not tolerate such behaviour in schools. He said:
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Our success stories are being blemished by the actions of some bad elements among us.
I am informed that some staff members are putting pressure on parents from whom they are demanding extra and unnecessary charges for extra lessons.
From the onset, let me remind you all that the responsible ministry outrightly gave a position that it is illegal.
Some of you choose to take a lackadaisical approach to work or even fail to work during normal school time, only to wait for the ‘Remedial time’. That should stop forthwith.
Those who feel uncomfortable working in the classroom environment are free to come out in the open and the organisation will redeploy them elsewhere.
On another regrettable note, I was briefed on a recent shameful criminal incident which paints a very dark image of our schools.
Abuse of any nature on school children by teachers is a serious affront to the trust reposed in you as teachers.
I do not want to picture that there are some among you in the same ensnare. School staff, you are in loco parentis, entrusted with children by parents.
How dare you ponder wickedness towards children left in your custody? In any case, those children are your very own children whom you are expected to be protecting and nurturing.
Be warned. As the law enforcement agency, we will never stand aside and allow that to happen in schools, more so, our police schools. The safe and only place for violators of children’s rights is behind bars.
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Deputy Commissioner-General Mutamba announced plans to expand the network of ZRP schools nationwide, specifically to provide quality education for police officers’ children.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Police Warn Teachers Against Demanding Cash For Extra Lessons

Twenty-three (23) schools countrywide are accused of turning away learners over unpaid tuition, demanding fees in United States dollars and conducting extra lessons, among other charges.
The 23 schools are Parirewa Primary and Secondary Schools, Kudzanai Primary, Kuredza Primary, Kuwadzana 6 Primary, Allan Wilson High School, Chinhoyi 2 High, Mhanyame Primary, Chirorodziva, Tafara Primary, Helwyn Primary, Biri Primary, Kasimure Primary, Maumbe Primary, Magunje High, Norton Intellect Primary, Strathdon Secondary, Negomo Secondary, Mhuriimwe Secondary, Tendai Primary, Glenview 2 High, Chiri Government and Hatcliffe High schools.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200021881/23-schools-in-hot-soup">NewsDay</a> reported that the charges included demanding cash for extra lessons, conducting illegal extra lessons, turning away pupils over non-payment of levies, demanding exclusively US dollar fee payment and hiking fees without approval from the Government.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo visited several schools in Harare on a fact-finding mission on Tuesday.
He visited Oriel Boys High School, Eastridge Primary School and Makomo Primary School in Harare.
Speaking during the tour, Moyo reiterated a government directive that no learner should be turned away over non-payment of school fees.
He also warned schools against withholding examination results for learners’ failure to pay school fees. Said Moyo:
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The contract for examinations is between the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) and learners (candidates), on school fees, the contract is between parents or guardians and the school.
No results should be withheld and no learner should be turned away from school regarding fee payment.
Schools must find other ways to get the tuition fee from parents and guardians. This is not to say parents must not pay school fees.
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Moyo said schools selling uniforms at their premises should not force parents to buy the uniforms if they feel they are expensive. He said:
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I have received reports of some schools forcing parents to buy uniforms from them.
Parents and guardians are free to purchase uniforms where they find them cheaper.
If your school is innovative (by producing) uniforms, the price should be reasonable and not by force.
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In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said some schools were defying the Government directive to charge only approved school fees and levies.
The Ministry also said some learning institutions were charging school fees and levies exclusively in foreign currency, forcing parents to purchase school uniforms and stationery exclusively at their schools and withholding results for Grade 7, ‘O’ and ‘A’ level candidates.
It reminded schools that they are bound by the procedures to be followed when making school fee adjustments according to Secretary’s Circular No. 1 of 2023.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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