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Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
MASVINGO was a hive of activity yesterday as the rush for school uniforms and exercise books in preparations for school opening next Tuesday began.

Most parents were complaining of the high cost of school wear which is now sold at inflated prices with some schools charging fees in the scarce United States dollars while others are demanding top ups.

Surprisingly those schools demanding top up are asking for more than the original fees with most boarding schools now charging between $1 500 and $3 000 per term.

In the shops grocery items like juices, Cerevita and other cereals were fast disappearing from the shelves as parents were buying them in large quantities.

In an interview most parents, especially those with children starting Form One at boarding schools complained that schools were now ripping them off by charging exorbitant fees.

Mrs Martha Choga whose child recently secured a place for Form One at one of the boarding schools in Bikita said the family had to contend with a dull festive holiday to save money for fees.

“My son got a place for Form One at a mission school in Bikita. We have been asked to pay $3 000 in total including school fees. We are yet to buy exercise books whose prices range from $4 to $6 each. The 32 pages cost $2 and the school needs 30 of them,” said Mrs Choga.

Another parent with a child scheduled to start Form One at Gokomere High School cried foul over the schools’ strictness on the purchase of uniforms.

“Schools should give us an option to buy uniforms from where we want as long the uniforms meet their specifications. It should not be mandatory to buy from the schools as the prices are beyond the reach of many. For uniforms only I need at least $100 and that is a lot of money. If I buy from some shops, I will pay less,” said a parent who asked not to be named.

Mr Lambart Ndlovu with a child who got a place at Zimuto High School in Zimuto area in Masvingo hailed the schools decision to transport pupils saying parents will not spend time queuing for fuel to take their children to school.

He said given the prevailing situation, schools should be allowed to increase fees to meet the increased costs especially for food.

“ Food prices have gone up and it makes logic for schools to review their fees upwards as long as they remain affordable to most parents. I know we are struggling to pay fees but an increase cannot be avoided,” said Mr Ndlovu.

Masvingo provincial education director Mr Zadius Chitiga said no school can increase fees without the approval of Government. He said parents have to agree to a review of fees and then the school submits its application to Government for approval.

“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Act does not allow the increasing of fees without the input of parents. Any school which wants to hike school fees should engage parents and when they agree, the proposal is then sent to us for approval.

“We understand that boarding schools are the worst affected by the increase in price of commodities but the increases should be approved by Government,” said Mr Chitiga. @walterbmswazie2