Published by the government of Zimbabwe
6 January 2009
Harare — GOVERNMENT is still considering fee applications submitted by schools and will tomorrow announce its position regarding the charging of the fees in foreign currency.
In an interview yesterday, the Secretary for Education, Sport and Culture, Dr Stephen Mahere, said the ministry was still considering the applications.
"I can confirm that we have received several applications from schools intending to charge fees in foreign currency, but we are still to decide whether to allow them or not," he said.
The ministry last week invited schools to submit their applications for fees and levy adjustments for onward transmission to the National Incomes and Pricing Commission before the new term commences.
Almost all private schools and a number of mission boarding schools have sent circulars to parents advising them of higher fees in the coming term.
Some schools, however, are reportedly already charging fees in foreign currency with Westridge Primary School in Belvedere, which does not offer boarding facilities, allegedly demanding US$900 for this term.
Some parents who spoke to The Herald urged Government to approve only realistic fees if schools were given the green light to charge in foreign currency.
Government recently gave public hospitals the go-ahead to charge all medical services in foreign currency, a development many hope will improve service delivery.
The Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said the Government had allowed public health care facilities to give patients an option to pay in foreign currency if they so wished.
He, however, said this did not mean the hospitals would no longer accept Zimbabwe dollars, adding that no person was going to be forced to pay in hard currency.
Dr Parirenyatwa said the important thing was to ensure that Government institutions continued to function and offer the full range of services required by the public.
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The idea of paying AMERICAN DOLLARS will only benefit people like Karimanzira who can afford to keep 100 AMERICAN DOLLARS not the majority of Zimbabweans. It’s a pity the true colours of Zanu PF are now evident and clear. This is why Zanu PF members cry and clamor about the travel ban imposed on them by AMERICANS and European Union HAIKONA? Imboitai tichafanana chete.