Highlands Junior School Forces Parents to Pay ‘Teacher’s Appreciation Fee’
A number of school administrators have provoked controversy by instituting fees, such as an odd teacher appreciation charge that students must pay in order to attend classes.
Parents and school officials have been at odds over the demands made on pupils to pay fines and sports punishment fees.
They also have to pay a monthly appreciation fee to the teachers.
If their families are unwilling to pay these fees, some youngsters have been forced to play on the school grounds instead of attending classes.
Parents whose children attend Harare’s Highlands Junior School compelled the election of a new School Development Committee by charging the previous one with conspiratorially fleeing them along with instructors.
Every student must pay the teacher a monthly appreciation fee of US$10, failing which they will not be allowed to attend classes.
“We are pleading with the appropriate authorities to intervene and stop instructors from pursuing this harmful accusation.
“Our kids are asked to leave the classroom if we don’t pay the teachers, so we are being compelled to show our appreciation for them.
“Is it possible for you to pay for your children’s school fees with this kind of money?
One parent observed, “The SDC has been drawn into that malignant system where they value money at the expense of our children’s education.”
Every day, Blakiston Primary School is rumored to demand $1 from every pupil outside the school.
There are also rumors of civvies days and sports discipline issues at the school.
In a WhatsApp group, parents became enraged over Blakiston Primary’s Grade 7 pass rate.
“Have you looked at the Grade 7 results? Not even close to the top 100 zvayo is Blakiston. Kukundwa zviri kuEpworth nezvikoro.
“The bar for Blakiston has been lowered.
“After all that, enrollment is expected to be five zvavo vanobuda or six units.
This merely demonstrates that the academic side of things is our problem rather than development.
It is really depressing and shameful that we are so far behind.
Some of the notes said, “Kukundwa nechikoro chiri kuMayambara uko with next to zero resources, but still manages kubika mashasha.”
Pathway Junior, a school in Chitungwiza, recently got into a fight with parents over pressuring pupils to celebrate Valentine’s Day in order to raise money.
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Prior to Valentine’s Day, the school sent the following in a letter to parents:
The 14th of February is Valentine’s Day. The price of each rose will be $2 USD. On Monday, give the child the money so we may place an order.
Please remember that Friday is National Wear T-Shirt and Jean Day.
“Musician: US$3, quad bikes: US$2, ice cream: US$1, picture: US$1, hot dogs: US$1 on Valentine’s Day.”
