‘No school fees increase’

NewsDay

By Kupakwashe Makonye

31 August 2012

Education minister David Coltart has ordered all government schools not to effect any fee increases this coming term until after civil servants’ salaries have been reviewed.

Coltart made the decree on Tuesday after the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) last month petitioned him to issue a government directive ordering a freeze on school fee increases.

In its petition dated July 31, the PTUZ said any increase in school fees would negatively affect civil servants whose salaries have remained stagnant for a long time.

In a letter to PTUZ secretary-general Raymond Majongwe, Coltart said any reviews of fees by government schools had to be approved by the government.

“As regards fees at government schools, please be assured that these will not be increased in the third term,” he said.

“As you are aware, all proposed increases to non-government school fees and all school levies have to be approved by the (Education) permanent secretary. In the circumstances, if we decide to freeze increases, we have the power in terms of the Education Act to do so without the necessity of going to Cabinet.”

Civil servants’ salaries have remained unchanged for a long time with Finance minister Tendai Biti saying government’s current purse cannot sustain an increase.

Biti recently disclosed that the government wage bill presently consumes 73% of government’s total monthly revenue.