Lifeline for unregistered schools
Yvonne Mutambwa
Government has ordered 320 illegal schools and colleges that had been shut down for operating without licences to regularise their operations by March 31.
More than 22 000 students had faced the risk of failing to return to school when government gave an order for the shutting down the 320 schools in Harare after embarking on an operation to restore order in the education sector.
“We have considered the plight of children, 22 569 children enrolled at these illegal schools and colleges will be affected when schools open next week. The ministry of primary and secondary education in consultation with stakeholders has therefore extended a grace period up to March 31 for all illegal schools to regularize their operations,” said the Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Harare Province Tafadzwa Muguti.
However, the law will take its course with 273 owners of the schools set to appear in court soon after being arrested for violating the country’s laws.
The schools were given an ultimatum after the office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan province launched a blitz in collaboration with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
Most of the schools failed to present authorised building plans with some having set up expensive structures without council approval and EMA clearance permits.
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