Government clarifies schools opening dates
By Tapiwa Svondo
Primary and Secondary Education minister Torerayi Moyo says schools are set to open for the first term next year on 9 January and not 2 January as has been erroneously reported by some unofficial sources of information.
Addressing journalists in Harare on Wednesday, Moyo said government noted the confusion surrounding schools opening dates for the first term.
Moyo said, “We have people who are saying that schools are opening on the 2nd of January 2024.
“The correct position is that schools are opening on the 9th of January 2024.
“It gives parents adequate time to prepare for schools opening.”
He said students who have enrolled for Form One in boarding schools will travel to their respective learning institutions on Sunday, 7 January 2024 to allow time to go through orientation and induction.
He also warned some unscrupulous school authorities against forcing parents to purchase uniforms exclusively from their premises.
“It is illegal for any school to demand students and parents to purchase school uniforms at those respective schools,” Moyo said.
“So the correct position is that parents and students are allowed to buy correct uniform from any stores of their choice and there is no law that compels them to buy uniform at the schools that they would have enrolled.”
The minister urged schools to accept multiple forms of payment as opposed to demanding fees exclusively in US dollars.
