School head fired for rejecting ZiG payments

A headmaster at a particular school has been expelled for rejecting to accept ZiG school fee payments as Government cracks down on dissent.

Efforts to promote acceptance of the newly introduced currency has seen the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Financial Intelligence Unit, Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission and the education ministry teaming up to address the anomaly.

The Deputy Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr. Patrick Zumbo, expressed his satisfaction with the smooth reopening of schools and reported that no major issues were encountered during the process.

Also Read: Neville Mutsvangwa busted for forex dealing after posting ZiG rate on WhatsApp status

However, he also revealed that the Ministry has launched an investigation into reports of certain schools in ZiG rejecting payment of school fees, and reassured the public that appropriate action will be taken against any schools found to be engaging in such practices.

“We are happy that this term we had a very smooth opening of schools and we have not heard any challenges except for some complaints that some schools are not accepting ZiG,” he said.

“We are hearing that some schools are refusing ZiG payments and we are carrying out investigations so that we take the correct measures.

“ZiG is legal tender and there is no way a school can reject the currency. It is a tender that is accepted in all shops and on all payment platforms so schools cannot reject the ZiG.”

Mr Zumbo said despite some reported cases of schools rejecting the local currency, they had not received any other complaints from parents and learners pertaining to the opening of schools yesterday.

“All is well and we were pleased to have an opportunity to witness children going back to school yesterday. It has been so smooth with no challenges and we are happy that the schools opened on a good note.”

Government has since taken steps to ensure that parents can pay fees and levies in the currency of their choice, as the law demands, and that children can travel safely to their schools.