Despite a government warning against barring learners from school due to unpaid fees, Kuwadzana 1 Council Primary School in Harare has taken a controversial step by introducing separate classes for children whose parents have not settled their school fees.
In a letter dated May 15, 2025, addressed to parents and guardians, the school, through a communication signed by senior teacher F. Chifamba, stated that children whose parents have not paid full or half of the term’s school fees will be placed in separate “muclass yavo vega” (their own class), effectively segregating them from fully paid learners.
“Vana vaiswa mumaclass nokubhara kwakaita mari yechikoro,” the notice reads in part. “Vana vasina kubhadhara vachaiswa mumaclass yavo vega.” Parents are urged to pay at least half of the term fees, which amounts to US$20, before the end of the month to prevent their children from being separated.
This move appears to directly contradict the government’s stance on the matter. Speaking on Wednesday in Kadoma, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable Torerai Moyo, reminded school authorities across the country that denying children access to education due to unpaid fees is a violation of their constitutional rights. The minister was addressing school heads from Mashonaland West Province at a meeting held at Jameson High School.
“We are facing challenges regarding non-payment of school fees, yet the law restricts us from sending owing students home or to withhold their results,” one school head said during the engagement.
Parents at Kuwadzana 1 Primary are being asked to sign and return a form indicating whether they have paid the full amount, half, or nothing at all. The school claims that the decision to split classes was prompted by complaints from parents who have paid in full and feel their children are subsidizing those whose parents have not contributed.
The letter also advises parents to bring their children to school along with the signed form and the necessary payments so that learners are placed appropriately. “Huya ne mwana mubhadhare mwana asachinjwa class yake,” it says, implying that class changes will occur for unpaid learners unless fees are settled.
Education rights groups have condemned the school’s actions, calling the segregation of learners based on financial status “discriminatory” and “damaging to the self-esteem of children.” Critics argue that such practices stigmatize students from low-income families and deepen inequality within public education.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has not yet commented on the specific actions taken by Kuwadzana 1 Primary, but analysts expect disciplinary or corrective measures to follow. Government policy clearly states that no child should be denied access to learning because of financial hardship.
