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Harare Bureau
Some parents yesterday said they are against the introduction of levies on suppliers of various wares to schools proposed by the government which is supposed to take effect in the second term which starts today.

The parents feared that the extra costs will result in the suppliers increasing their prices, forcing the schools to up their fees to cover for the new prices of goods.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora to a Zimbabwe International Trade fair cocktail that starting this month, suppliers to schools would be levied to raise funds for infrastructural development.

He said there were over 1,600 service providers of stationery, computers and sports equipment working with schools and would be levied to help the government raise the money.

Parents expressed discontent over the move.

“If the government is to levy suppliers, the prices for their wares are likely going to be higher so as to meet their usual profits. This will mean that if schools are supplied at higher prices, parents will indirectly incur the costs,” said Joice Muranganwa of Mabvuku.

“My daughter learns at Kwenda High School in Hwedza where we’re forced to buy uniforms such as blazers and tracksuits at $50 each, double the price of what you can get in the CBD. School uniform expense alone is about $300 and the fees is about $500.”

Tendai Maphosa, whose child learns at Nyadire High School in Mutoko, said the government must revise their plan and come up with measures to protect parents from being charged exorbitant prices.

“We don’t welcome any proposal that will make access to education more expensive than it is already. I suggest they revise the idea and let the situation remain as it is unless certain measures are taken to avoid transferring costs to parents who are already struggling,” she said.

Amos Musoni, who was accompanying his child to Rio Tinto School in Zhombe, said there was need for the government reconsider its education policies.

“This issue of levies on suppliers is unacceptable because it’ll affect the parents. I think the government should revisit some of its polices before implementing them. The parents always suffer in the long run and that must be avoided.”

Janet Marufu said: “If they levy suppliers, cost will obviously be transferred to us hence making life difficult for us. We’re urging the government to ensure that the cost of education becomes affordable than to introduce measures that will only increase costs.”

Minister Dokora said the introduction of the levies on suppliers was long overdue and he did not expect anyone to cry foul over the development.

He said businesses that were not interested in paying levies risked being delisted as suppliers to schools.