There
are
claims
that
several
learners
were
excluded
from
tests
this
week
after
failing
to
pay
the
busy
levy,
despite
having
paid
their
tuition
fees.
A
parent,
who
spoke
to
CITE
on
condition
of
anonymity,
said
the
issue
came
to
light
on
Monday.
She
said
her
daughter
in
Grade
Five
had
returned
home
to
report
that
she
had
not
been
allowed
to
sit
her
exams
because
of
non-payment
of
the
bus
levy.
“I
have
got
my
daughter,
she
is
in
Grade
Five.
She
came
on
Monday
saying
she
did
not
write
the
tests,
and
the
reason
was
that
she
had
not
paid
for
the
bus,
although
her
fees
have
been
paid,”
said
the
parent.
She
said
further
inquiries
with
neighbours
and
other
children
confirmed
the
situation.
Learners
who
had
not
paid
the
levy
were
reportedly
placed
in
home
economics
classes,
while
others
sat
for
examinations.
When
contacted
for
comment,
the
Ministry
of
Primary
and
Secondary
Education’s
Director
of
Communications
and
Advocacy,
Taungana
Ndoro,
confirmed
the
matter
and
said
the
government
had
taken
swift
action.
“We
wish
to
reassure
the
nation
that
the
Government
of
Zimbabwe
takes
such
allegations
seriously
and
is
acting
decisively
to
address
this
matter.
The
Ministry
confirms
it
is
now
fully
apprised
of
the
situation
at
Mafakela
Primary
school,”
said
Ndoro.
He
cited
Section
75
of
the
Constitution,
which
guarantees
every
child
the
right
to
education,
and
the
Education
Act
(Chapter
25:04),
as
well
as
Ministry
circulars
such
as
Secretary’s
Minute
Number
2
of
2024,
which
reinforce
this
position.
Ndoro
stressed
that
no
child
should
be
excluded
from
examinations
because
of
socio-economic
circumstances.
Ndoro
confirmed
that
the
affected
pupils
at
Mafakela
Primary
School
were
to
be
immediately
reinstated
to
sit
their
mid-term
examinations
with
effect
from
Wednesday.
He
said
any
school
officials
found
to
have
violated
this
policy
would
face
disciplinary
action
in
accordance
with
civil
service
procedures.
He
also
explained
that
the
school
administration,
working
with
the
School
Development
Association
and
district
officials,
had
been
instructed
to
resolve
any
issues
of
outstanding
fees
through
lawful
and
non-punitive
means.
This
includes
engaging
parents
or
guardians
through
mutual
payment
agreements,
ensuring
that
no
learner
is
victimised
or
penalised
for
non-payment.
He
further
stated
that
to
prevent
the
recurrence
nationwide,
the
Ministry
will
immediately
reissue
a
circular
to
all
Provincial
District
Education
Offices,as
well
as
school
heads,
reinforcing
the
absolute
prohibition
on
excluding
learners
from
examinations
or
core
activities
due
to
non-payment.
District
schools
inspectors
have
been
directed
to
conduct
urgent
compliance
audits
within
their
jurisdictions.
Furthermore,
sensitisation
programmes
for
school
authorities,
SDAs,
and
parents
on
lawful
debt-recovery
processes
will
be
intensified.
“Corrective
action
is
underway,
and
the
Ministry
will
ensure
accountability.
We
urge
the
public
to
report
any
similar
violations
immediately
to
their
Provincial
Education
Director,”
Ndoro
said.