Herald
By Felex Share
20 May 2010
Harare — Some schools have unilaterally increased fees for Ordinary and Advanced Levels public examinations. Parents with children attending mainly former Group A schools described the move as a form of fundraising by the school authorities. The Government had set US$10 as the fee for a single O-Level subject and US$20 per subject at A-Level. The fees for practical subjects at both levels were pegged at US$15. But some schools are charging between US$2 and US$15 extra per subject.
Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Mini-ster David Coltart yesterday said only the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council had the authority to set examination fees and anything outside that was “extortion”.
Minister Coltart said Government would take stern measures against the schools.
“This is surprising because there is a universal fee which is set by Zimsec. One cannot just raise the examination fees willy-nilly, this is equivalent to extortion and this has to come to an end forthwith.
“Only levies should be set by school authorities but again following the stipulated guidelines of agreeing with parents,” he said.
Prince Edward High School is charging US$12 per O-Level subject instead of the stipulated US$10.
The school is asking for US$18 from candidates doing practical subjects, US$3 above the official US$15.
A-Level students are being asked to pay US$24 per subject instead of US$20 while candidates writing practical subjects are paying US$30 instead of US$15.
Prince Edward deputy headmaster Mr Never Mupupuri declined to comment referring all questions to the school head, Mr Kevin Atkinson, who could not be reached.
However, a senior teacher at the school confirmed the school had increased the examination fees to buy stationery and other materials needed for the exams.
“The move is justified because Zimsec just states the amount for practicals but does not provide you with anything to use so this amount includes stationery and other materials required during the examinations. “This is the only way the school can ensure the smooth handling of the examinations,” said the teacher.
Apparently, Zimsec provides question papers and answer sheets for the candidates and students bring their own pens and rulers.
Parents yesterday blasted the school authorities saying they were “milking” them. “We are even failing to pay the actual examination fees let alone school fees and someone just demands extra payment from us. Where will the money come from?” said one parent.
Others called on the Government to intervene. “This is daylight robbery and the responsible authorities should intervene to save us. Are they the only school facing the so-called administrative costs?” asked another parent.
The examination fee hike comes at a time when thousands of prospective candidates might fail to sit for the examinations after some schools set tomorrow as the registration deadline saying they wanted to collate data before submitting them to Zimsec next Friday.
May 28 is the Government-stipulated deadline.
Some schools are reportedly transferring examination money into levy accounts if a student tries to register without meeting other dues.
Although the regulations state that schools have a right to announce deadlines as long as they did not prejudice candidates, parents have complained that they did not have sufficient time to raise the fees.
Last year, thousands of prospective candidates failed to register citing “exorbitant fees”.