Some parents with children at Thekwane High School have accused the institution of demanding school fees exclusively in United States dollars, despite government policy allowing payment in Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) and other approved currencies.
The complaints followed an emergency meeting last year where the school authorities proposed a 25% fee increase that would have raised fees to US$700 for junior students and about US$741 for seniors.
“Parents refused the proposed increase and suggested that fees be set at US$600 without the ZiG component,” said one parent.
“Management then proposed US$620, but the matter was put to a vote.
“The US$620 option received nine votes, while the majority voted for US$600.”
Another parent said parents were later instructed to settle fees strictly in US dollars.
“We were told to pay the fees in US dollars only and that payments should be cleared by opening day,” the parent said.
“The school explained that when fees are paid using ZiG, they use the bank rate, which currently equates to the black market rate.
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“This creates challenges for the school and results in overspending.”
Another parent said the school’s practice contradicted what parents were told.
“Despite the school saying they accept all currencies, parents have been instructed to pay completely in US dollars,” he said.
In a newsletter dated December 20, 2025, Thekwane High said school fees for 2026 had been set at US$600 following the November 7 emergency meeting.
“As was agreed in our emergency meeting on 7 November 2025, school fees have now been set at $600,” the school said.
The school also reminded parents that full fees must be paid before schools opened, warning them not to send their children to school without proof of payment.
However, national education secretary reverend Daniel Muzenda said Methodist Church schools, including Thekwane High, accepted multi-currency payments.
“Our position as Methodist Church in Zimbabwe schools is that we accept multi-currency in all our schools, Thekwane included,” Muzenda said. “We stand guided by government policy on fees payment.”
Meanwhile, the government has issued a firm directive warning schools against demanding fees exclusively in United States dollars.
“The Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) and all currencies within the multi-currency system remain legal tender for school fees payments.
“Schools are prohibited from demanding fees exclusively in United States dollars,” the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said, warning that violators would face disciplinary action.
The ministry also cautioned schools against manipulating exchange rates.
“All fee conversions must be pegged strictly to the official interbank exchange rate,” the ministry added.
“Schools are not permitted to set or use inflated exchange rates.”
It also stressed that no learner should be excluded from school due to non-payment of fees.
“No learner should be sent home, excluded from lessons or barred from examinations due to non-payment of fees,” the ministry said.
