New Education Regulations Set to Ensure Student Protection and Equal Access to Education

Learners will no longer be allowed to visit teachers’ quarters without a valid reason, and students will not be excluded from school due to non-payment of fees, absence of a birth certificate, pregnancy, or low-quality academic results.

These provisions are part of a series of regulations issued by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. Torerayi Moyo, as the Heritage-Based Education curriculum begins to be implemented.

The Minister enacted these regulations under the Education Act through Statutory Instrument 13 of 2025, aimed at fostering discipline among both students and teachers.

The newly gazetted Education (General) Regulations, 2025, are designed to tackle societal challenges like drug abuse, sexual harassment, and bullying. According to Section 12, when a female student becomes pregnant, schools are required to provide psychosocial support.

The regulations specify that if a girl at a school becomes pregnant, the school head must inform the girl’s parents if they are not already aware. The school must also offer psychosocial support services to the girl and her parents, and if the girl and her parents agree, she may continue attending school until the delivery of her child and return once her health and that of her child allow.

Section 14 of the regulations prohibits students from visiting teachers’ staff quarters, ensuring a safer environment for learners. It further mandates that schools establish procedures for students to access staff offices and other essential areas safely. However, this rule does not apply if the student is a child or relative of the teacher residing in the staff quarters.

Under Section 18, school heads have the authority to suspend a student suspected of serious misconduct for up to 14 days while investigations take place. Before suspension, students must be given a reasonable opportunity, supported by their parents, to present their case.

Section 20 ensures that no student can be excluded from school due to the inability to pay fees or levies. However, it emphasizes that parents or guardians must settle school fees and levies before each term begins. The regulations aim to provide equal educational opportunities, stating that no student should be denied the right to education based on their academic performance.

The regulations also clarify that education is compulsory, and if parents are unable to afford the tuition fees at a government school, the state will assist within its resource capacity. Furthermore, no child should be denied enrollment in a government school solely due to a lack of a birth certificate or poor academic results.

Violations of these provisions could lead to fines or imprisonment, with penalties of up to six months in prison.

The regulations grant school heads the power to expel a student after a fair hearing, should they be found guilty of serious misconduct. Expulsions must be preceded by consultation with the District Schools Inspector (DSI) and, for non-government schools, the school’s responsible authority. Parents of expelled students can appeal within 14 days to the Permanent Secretary or a designated official through the DSI, with a decision expected within a month.

The expelled student may be allowed to attend classes unless authorities have reasonable grounds to believe that their presence could cause disruption or harm. School heads are also required to inform their superiors, including the Permanent Secretary of Primary and Secondary Education, about the decision to expel a student, along with the justification for the action.