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The Herald, January 7, 2010
Parents and guardians with children attending private schools in Harare have blasted the school authorities for charging outrageous fees without any justification, in a stabilising economy.

Most parents yesterday said Government had let loose most schools that were hiding behind the “private school” tag to justify their outrageous fees hikes and appealed to the Government to intervene to protect the interests of children.

But Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart yesterday said it was unfair for parents to complain, as they were not forced to send their children to private schools.

He added that there was no Government policy on price controls, which applied to private schools, but they (private schools) were supposed to apply to his ministry for guidance.

“There is no Government policy on price controls and parents also have to keep it in mind that they are not forced to send their children to specific private schools,” said Minister Coltart.

“What Government only does is to make sure the fees are regionally competitive because we will be looking at their fees applications in the context of regional fees in Lusaka, Blantyre and Polokwane. If they are above those, that is when we can intervene.”

A snap survey by The Herald has shown that most private and trust schools were charging fees between US$400 and US$1 200 for secondary school students, while mission schools were requesting less than US$50 in the rural areas.

Dominican Convent Senior School is demanding about US$650, while St Ignatius in Chishawasha and Chegato High in Mberengwa are charging about US$400 boarding fees. St Peter Claver in Chishawasha charges US$20 for day scholars.

“Government should not allow these private schools to continue charging exorbitant fees to discriminate against those with low salaries.

“Uncertainty in Government schools about teachers’ strikes had forced me to consider sending my children to private schools, but now I can’t afford it because their fees are too high,” said Mrs Tracy Mpembi of Glen View.

“We don’t understand how Government continues to turn a blind on the private schools, which are milking us. Government should give a fees ceiling of not more than US$500 for private schools.

“My daughter is at Chisipite and we are being asked to pay US$1 000 for a day scholar. There is no justification at all,” said a woman who spoke on condition of anonymity.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• The right to education is clearly spelt out in the Constitution. But the continuous hiking of school fees is against the spirit of this fundamental right.
• Section 75(2) of the Constitution states: “Every person has the right to establish and maintain, at their own expense, independent educational institutions . . . provided they do not discriminate on any ground prohibited by this Constitution.” The sharp increase in educating one’s child at these private schools is not only discriminatory, but also elitist.
• Private schools have become big business, reaping super profits. This is why there is a proliferation of them now.
• Apart from the exorbitant tuition and boarding fees, uniforms and stationery, some schools charge desk, bed, bible and hymn book fees. Other schools require supplementary groceries. Is this still the right to education?
• It is time Government intervened, to ensure quality education for all, especially the vulnerable.