Uniform Rules Clear, But Rarely Followed

Rutendo Mazhindu- Zim Now Reporter

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has released new guidelines for Term Two, reminding schools not to force parents to buy uniforms or stationery exclusively from them.

The ministry also stated that schools must accept ZiG payments and that no child should be sent away for failing to pay fees.

Deputy Minister Edgar Moyo said, “Children being forced to buy uniforms by schools is illegal. We have a free market economy, and parents are supposed to buy wherever they have a cost advantage.”

Permanent Secretary Moses Mhike added, “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.”

On the issue of school fees, Moyo said, “The contract of school fees payment is between the school and parents, and the child must not be used to force parents to pay.” Mhike also reminded 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.”

While the message is clear and fair, many parents say it is nothing new. These rules are repeated every term, yet schools continue with their usual practices.

Parents who try to register children in uniforms made outside the school are often turned away. School staff claim the colour is wrong or insist that only the school’s uniform is allowed. This forces parents to buy the school’s version, which is often more expensive—even if it is made from the same material.

Some of the uniforms are poorly made and overpriced.
The same problem occurs with stationery packs and meal fees, which schools claim are compulsory, even though the ministry says otherwise.

Parents are asking where the ministry’s enforcement is. When a parent has to choose between paying rent and buying a $90 uniform set, it becomes more about survival than education.

Some schools also continue to demand US dollars, despite the government’s directive that ZIG should be accepted.
Parents who refuse to pay in US dollars sometimes face delays in enrolling their children.

The ministry says it wants fairness, inclusion, and respect for the law. But without action, parents say these rules mean little.