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(HERALD) Forex fees: Cabinet to decide tomorrow

Forex fees: Cabinet to decide tomorrow
Herald Reporter

CABINET is tomorrow expected to decide whether or not schools should be allowed to charge fees in foreign currency after over 95 percent of schools applied to charge fees for the first term of 2009 in hard currency.

The Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture says it had no option, but to seek Cabinet guidance after almost every school submitted fees applications in foreign currency.

Parents and guardians, many of whom are paid in Zimbabwe dollars, were in a dilemma after the majority of schools applied to charge fees in foreign currency, the Secretary for Education, Sport and Education, Dr Stephen Mahere, said.

He said almost all fees applications from schools were in US dollars and rands and the ministry was awaiting a Cabinet decision on whether or not to allow fees to be paid in foreign currency.

"The ministry cannot approve the fees in foreign currency and is awaiting a Cabinet decision on the matter. We are still to forward the applications to the National Incomes and Pricing Commission for approval as most of the fees proposals submitted by schools are in foreign currency," he said.

Dr Mahere said the decision on whether or not to charge fees in US dollars will then make it possible for his ministry to forward the applications to the NIPC for determination.

He said it was imperative to reach a decision on school fees soon to give parents and guardians enough time to plan and prepare for the opening of the first term.

The first term will now commence on January 27, 2009 after Government postponed the opening by two weeks to allow the marking of last year’s Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations.

Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture invited schools to submit applications for fees and levy adjustments for onward transmission to the NIPC for determination.

Some schools have since sent circulars to parents and guardians advising them of their plans to charge fees in foreign currency with effect from term one.

They are arguing that all school provisions, goods, food and fuel are being sold in foreign currency.

But some of the fees demanded by the schools have been described as unrealistic given that most workers are paid in Zimbabwe dollars.

Schools such as Chisipite High and Westridge Primary in Harare, Falcon College in Esigodini and Centenary in Bulawayo have proposed fees above US$1 000.

Others have sent circulars to parents and guardians demanding levies in fuel coupons.

Parents and guardians who spoke to The Herald, however, urged the Government to approve only realistic amounts if the schools get the green light to charge in foreign currency.

Labels: FOREX, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 8:18 PM