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Professor Paul Mavhima

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
TOWNSEND Girls’ High School has been forced to release examination certificates of two former pupils that it had been holding for more than 10 years over outstanding fees.

Rights lawyers on Monday wrote a letter to the Bulawayo school demanding the release of certificates of Tanaka and Takudzwa Ngwasha who sat for their examinations in 2003 and 2004. The school was holding on to the Ngwasha sisters’ certificates over outstanding fees.

Last week, the government said schools that withhold exam results from pupils are breaking the law.

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights wrote a letter dated February 8 to the school demanding the release of the certificates.

The two sisters through their lawyer Lizwe Jamela said they had failed to acquire places for further education without certificates.

“We would like to state that issues relating to a child’s school fees are a responsibility of the parents or guardians and children are separate individuals who should not be caught in between any disputes between the guardians and the school,” wrote Jamela.

“The examination certificate in question belongs to the children and not their guardians. Our clients are now in a difficult position as they have not been able to enrol at tertiary institutions of their choice without the availability of the withheld certificate.”

He said it was unlawful for schools to take action against a student because of outstanding school fees.

“Other legal routes can be pursued against the parent or responsible person for the recovery of the amount,” wrote Jamela.

“We are advised that you have already taken such legal remedies and as such we point it out to you that withholding results or certificates amounts to unlawful conduct on your part”.

Jamela demanded that the school releases Takudzwa and Tanaka’s school certificates.

“We have been instructed to demand from you as we hereby do that you release within seven days upon receipt of this letter the O-Level certificates of Tanaka Ngwasha and Takudzwa Ngwasha as you have no legal basis to withhold same,” wrote Jamela.

On Tuesday Townsend headmistress Millicent Moyo responded to the demand saying the said pupils could get their certificates.

In a letter dated February 9, Moyo wrote: “Reference is made on the issue of withheld O-Level certificates for Tanaka and Takudzwa Ngwasha. Please advise your clients to collect their certificates from the bursar’s office anytime between 2PM and 4PM”.

Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Professor Paul Mavhima stated the government position last week.

He spoke after human rights lawyers had forced a Harare school to release Advanced level results to one of its former pupils who had threatened to go to court.

Prof Mavhima said schools should work with parents to come up with payment plans instead of withholding results, which lawyers also say is in breach of children’s right to education.

He also cautioned that parents should not ride on that legal provision to avoid paying fees.