Residents across Bulawayo have previously expressed dismay that school heads were chasing children whose parents fail to pay fees away from school despite a ministerial directive prohibiting that. Residents have also lamented the issue as an indication that school heads are not in touch with reality as they do not realise that parents have difficulty settling fees at once due to economic challenges in the country. Parents have often called for payment arrangements to be made as opposed to denying children access to class. School heads on the other hand have argued that schools need money to operate and provide quality education hence children who have not paid fees have to be sent home to compel their parents or guardians to pay.
The meeting in Mpopoma will thus provide residents in the area with an opportunity to discuss these contentious issues with the Bulawayo education director and the heads of schools in the ward. The meeting is being held in line with BPRA’s belief that societal problems can be ironed out through rationale debate leading to common positions on topical issues. It is also in line with the association’s quest to create a culture of transparency and accountability in the operations of service providers, government entities and public officials.