Choked Zimbabweans decry high cost of education as schools anticipate opening for 2025 calendar

By Staff Reporter 

PARENTS and guardians of school-going children are facing a torrid time preparing learners for the new 2025 calendar year that kicks off next Tuesday, January 14.

It is particularly burdening for those with children progressing from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Grade One, and from Grade Seven into secondary school as pupils need new sets of uniforms, stationery, among other paraphernalia such as trunks, which are very expensive for many.

The streets of Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Chinhoyi, and indeed other urban areas, were this week bustling with back-to-school shoppers buying trunks, plastic and khaki covers, books from reputable and fly-by-night as well as street stationery retailers.

In snap surveys conducted by NewZimbabwe.com, parents and guardians complained about the ever-rising cost of sending children to school amid worsening economic conditions and a high unemployment rate.

Mostly, interviewees complained of the United States dollar-denominated tuition fees and levies, high prices of school uniforms at most retailers while others expressed concern over some institutions forcing them to buy expensively priced products at schools.

Dumisani Munyulwa, a male vendor living with a disability plying his trade in central Harare and making ends meet by selling school supplies, shared the challenges he faces as schools reopen for the new calendar.

“Yes, schools are opening, but it’s now different from years back. Business used to be brisk during this time of the year, but nowadays street sales are low. This is because most schools are now selling their own uniforms and stationery.

“The competition is stiff, and l am not sure if l will be able to buy new uniforms and stationery for my own kids, pay US$ school fees for my three kids, one in Form Three, the other Form One and the last in Grade Five,” Munyulwa told NewZimbabwe.com.

Munyulwa is not alone as his sentiments are shared by Lovemore Chitanda, who noted the financial strain that the new school term has brought him in the wake of high spending during the just-ended Christmas and New Year holidays.

“The festive season really took a toll on my purse as I and my family had to travel to the rural areas. Now, l am facing the challenges of items needed for my Form One kid which surpass US$600, and also my Grade 7 child who has their needs,” said Chitanda.

Melissa Chipwanya shared the struggles faced by parents, particularly those with multiple children.

“Things are hard since we are just coming from the holidays. Schools require money but the budgeted cash won’t be enough to buy uniforms, books and other stuff needed. In most cases, you won’t be having one child, but two to three, who need to be taken to school, and all expenses fully paid.

“As for myself, I have two kids, one in Form Three and the other Form One, both at Klein Manasse High School. As for the younger one, since he’s starting secondary education, he needs a new set of uniforms which the school says must be purchased at the school only which is sightly expensive than buying from the streets or other shops. It’s hard,” said Chipwanya.

Meanwhile, not all parents are facing challenges as some had to make sacrifices during the festive season and budgeted for the schools opening.

One Muzariri, a parent who has already managed to pay for his children’s fees, noted the sacrifices made to meet educational costs.

“Basically, the start of a new year, school items will be on demand, and they tend to cost slightly higher than during the course of the year, but it needs oneself, as a parent, to be prepared for the challenges.

“We have paid for all the fees; we had to make sacrifices. During Christmas we did not spend unnecessarily, so all the required fees has been paid that’s where we are coming from now. We are doing the final shopping for uniforms as well as stationery.

“My son is going for Form Three at Chinhoyi High School, and my daughter is going in Grade Three at Chivaraidze Primary School, and all is set for the 2025 school year,” said Muzariri.

Cynthia Munyongani conceded that the high cost of education in Zimbabwe which is taking a knock on citizens’ pockets.

“As parents we confront these challenges head-on and making huge sacrifices. The reopening of schools serves as a reminder of the ongoing economic pressures associated with funding education in Zimbabwe.

“With many families feeling the pinch, the upcoming term will test their resilience and resourcefulness as they strive to provide for their children’s educational needs,” said Munyongani

Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary, Moses Mhike has warned schools engaging in unethical behaviours of chasing away learners without fully paid fees, those that demand fees only in United States dollars and those who make it compulsory to buy uniforms at the respective schools.

“No school should force any parent to pay fees or levies exclusively in foreign currency. Parents are free to pay in any currency of their choice, as Zimbabwe operates under a multi-currency regime.

“Heads of schools and responsible authorities are, therefore, warned to abide by this directive and refrain from mandating parents to buy uniforms and stationery exclusively at their schools,” Mhike was quoted by State media.