Schools Allowed to Use Courts to Recover Unpaid Fees, Govt Says
- Chipo Basira
- 15 May, 2026
Schools Allowed to Use Courts to Recover Unpaid Fees, Govt Says
Public schools in Zimbabwe can take legal action to recover outstanding fees from parents, including through debt collectors and the attachment of property, government has said.
Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Angeline Gata told Parliament on Wednesday that such measures must only be used as a last resort after all efforts to reach an agreement have failed.
Gata said every public school operates under a School Development Association, which is a legal body able to enter contracts and enforce its rights.
That means SDAs can pursue parents and guardians who default on fees and levies, including by hiring registered debt collectors.
She stressed that any recovery process must follow Zimbabwean laws on debt collection and protect citizens’ rights. Learners cannot be sent home for non-payment, she added.
While government is moving toward free state-funded education, Gata said parental contributions remain critical for most schools to function.
Parents are expected to honour agreed payment plans, she said.
School authorities were urged to act fairly and consider families’ financial situations by offering flexible payment arrangements.
Debt collectors should only be used when significant arrears remain after all other options have been exhausted.
Property attachment, Gata said, would only apply through due legal process and as a final measure.
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