Government reads riot act on errant schools

By Lovemore Chazingwa

Kadoma- GOVERNMENT  has resolved to apply a tougher stance on any unregistered educational institutions untill sanity prevails in the operation of schools across the country, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Hon. Torerayi Moyo has warned.

Hon. Minister Moyo raised the red flag towards illegally operating schools and colleges at the official handover-take-over ceremony of Kuredza Technical Government Primary School’s 4 new state of the art blocks, kind courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The Minister officially handed over an ECD Block complete with ablution facilities, a Visual Performance Arts (VPA) Block, a Wood Technology facility and a Home Technology structure.
The chilling comments are meant to flush out unscrupulous elements in the sector.
Warned Hon. Minister Moyo, “Government will not allow illegal schools to operate.

We will take a tougher stance against any unregistered learning institution in the country. We cannot allow a situation whereby anyone who has a room or two calls that a school and enrol learners, exposing them to conditions that are not conducive to learning.

It’s totally unacceptable. We will be dealing with all such schools as the year progresses.”
Adding,

“However, before we take that stance, we will allow respective school authorities to regularize their operations.”

The Minister further took a swipe at school administrators who expose learners to unhealthy learning conditions.
“We will not, as Government, allow any learning institution to expose learners to unhealthy conditions thereby putting their lives at risk.

Let us value the education of our learners through the provision of proper learning facilities,” he emphasized.
Afterwards when quizzed on the drastic measures that authorities insinuate will be evoked to face errant schools, Minister Moyo only quipped, “Cabinet will decide on the fate of illegal schools.”
In recent years, Zimbabwe continues to witness the proliferation of private schools across the country.
Concern has nonetheless been raised over their operational models and demands as well as overt appalling conditions at some of these institutions.
Media reports are awash with court cases involving some schools, especially those operating illegally, short-changing their clients.