The government took steps to ensure that parents were able to pay fees and levies in the currency of their choice, as required by law, and that children could travel safely to their schools.
Speaking ahead of schools reopening tomorrow for the second semester, authorities say everything is ready for the start of classes and modalities are already in place for June exams.
Since then, authorities have directed schools to accept payment in ZiG as it is part of the basket of accepted currencies, and police have assured parents and schoolchildren returning to schools across the country that they will be out in full force to ensure the safety of learners and avoid road carnage.
Yesterday, parents and guardians with children in boarding schools were doing last-minute shopping in most parts of the country.
Overall, the weekend was full of activity as parents and guardians made last-minute preparations for the second term, including raising school fees and purchasing uniforms and other supplies such as stationery.
Bookstores, school uniform retailers and education-related business owners recorded brisk business activity in Harare yesterday, which is expected to continue throughout this week.
Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Mr Musa Miki, said everything is in place for a smooth start to the second semester.
“Everything is going well so far and schools are scheduled to open tomorrow. All schools in the country are ready to open,” he said.
Zimsec is also preparing for the upcoming June exams.
“From the conversation I had with the Zimsec board last week, almost everything is ready for the June 2024 exams,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mickey, in an interview with The Sunday Mail has warned the minority of schools that reject ZiG as a form of payment. Private schools mostly refused to accept ZiG payments, telling parents they were still completing consultations on ZiG payments amid concerns that they were planning to set ZiG fees higher than the official exchange rate, fueling the black market in the process, and rolling back government efforts to stabilize Economy.
“Therefore, school authorities are expected to adhere to the announcement made by the RBI regarding the new currency that has been introduced,” he said.
“It is not a matter of choice, but simply accepting ZiG as legal tender, which is among the basket of other currencies.
“Therefore, as usual, schools are expected to make available to parents and guardians all payment methods, such as cash, online transfers and swipes.”
“The Ministry will work with other government agencies, including ZACC (Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission), the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, the police, as well as our school inspectors to ensure compliance with the use of the multi-currency system,” he said.
“Any school principal who defies this directive will have disciplinary action taken against him.”
Parents, who also spoke to the Herald, said the government should ensure that schools accept ZiG payments.
Mr Thomas Dande, a parent, said he had made adequate preparations for his children’s second semester.
“It is a sad fact that when the semester ends, preparations for the next season have to start immediately. I have paid the fees for my child and made all the necessary preparations,” he said.
Ms Kudzai Chigobo, who has a child at Nkululeko Secondary School, said preparations had been smooth so far.
Another parent, Joseph Mutungura, said there was a need for police deployment to ensure schools accepted all forms of payment.
The police in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ), will man roadblocks and conduct awareness campaigns along major roads.
Since then, public service vehicles and motorists have been urged to avoid overloading, speeding and ignoring traffic rules and regulations. Announce
