Chairmen of all Boards of ATS schools All Heads of CHISZ schools
GOVERNMENT POLICY IN REGARD TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS
You are all no doubt aware of the statements recently made and widely reported in the local media in which the Minister of Education Sport & Culture, the Honourable Dr S C Mumbengegwi, addressed himself to certain matters related to the operation of ATS member schools.
At a meeting attended by members of the Executive of both the ATS and CHISZ as well as senior ministry staff, the Minister spoke at some length on the following issues :
1. Racial composition of schools [pupil ratios] :
The Minister indicated that it remained government policy that school enrolments should reflect a minimum of 60% black pupils.
2. Fees :
The Minister expressed his concern at what he called the "outrageously high" level of fees charged in private schools.
3. "Foreign" Examinations :
The Minister asked for and was given confirmation of the intention of several member schools to offer the IGCSE examinations.
Following the meeting we have obtained additional detailed information from our member schools in regard to pupil ratios, fees and examination intentions and this has been communicated to the Ministry. I thought that it would be helpful to appraise you of the position as I see it. For the sake of consistency and transparency, what follows is largely lifted from the letters now sent to the Ministry.
Ratios
The Ministry have been advised that
all of our member schools practise an admissions policy fully compliant with Section 23 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, that is to say that applications for admission are treated on an equal and non-discriminatory basis. Thus the racial composition of pupils in our schools is a function of applications for admission to those schools which in turn depend upon a variety of local and other factors and circumstances. All applications are treated equally and are not discriminated on the grounds of race.
….. our member schools have been made aware that it is government policy to encourage a pupil ratio of minimum 60% black and the ATS is committed to endeavouring in good faith to raise the average ratio among its member schools.
Fees
During discussions and in correspondence, the Ministry have been advised that
it is a constitutional requirement for membership of the ATS that no member school should be operated as a "for profit" organisation. Therefore fees are set at levels sufficient to recover costs. All member schools maintain books of account which are available for inspection by the Ministry as well as by parents.
Examinations
We have confirmed to the Ministry that whereas our member schools intend to offer the IGCSE
all member schools within the ATS currently comply fully with and certainly have no intention of not complying with Section 63 of the Education Act [1987 as amended in 1991 and 1994] in terms of which the Secretary has determined the curricula for schools including our members. The ATS and its members are in no doubt that it is compulsory for all its schools to follow the curricula laid down by the Ministryand this they are doing without exception. All our pupils will in fact be writing the examinations made available by the Ministry through ZimSec.
Most of our member secondary schools are planning to offer additional options including for example the International General Certificate of Secondary Education [IGCSE] to pupils and are doing so at the explicit request of parents and in response to their clearly articulated desires. We believe that this is wholly consistent with the provisions of Section 7 of the Education Act which requires the provision of varied, comprehensive and constantly developing educational services; and further, that in this regard our member schools are assisting in the promotion and enhancement of education in Zimbabwe. Not only do the options being offered provide for variety but they are entirely consistent with the need expressed by the Minister himself during our meeting with him on 5 March 2001 for Zimbabwe to be competitive in the international arena.
The decision taken by our member schools to offer options, including but not limited to the IGCSE, was taken in good faith following careful consideration and research and this intention was fully discussed with and communicated to the Ministry on several occasions including during meetings held on 10 March 2000 and 7 July 2000 and in writing. The ATS was advised that its member schools were at liberty to offer examinations other than those set by ZimSec provided only that pupils would continue to be expected to sit the ZimSec examinations.
IGCSE or other non-ZimSec exams are being offered as additional or optional services and no pupils or parents are in any way obliged to select these options. No prejudice is suffered by parents or pupils as a result of schools offering such options. Indeed, additional value is provided to parents and pupils and it is for this reason that our member schools believe it is important to offer such products to parents. No doubt the same thinking underlies the decision of several non ATS schools to register as examining centres for the University of Cambridge local examination syndicate [UCLES] and to offer the IGCSE to pupils.
The ATS is fully aware of concerns arising in regard to the availability of foreign exchange for the payment of fees for non ZimSec examinations. If the country's foreign exchange reserves do not permit then costs will be met from free funds made available by schools and parents so that there is no outflow of forex from Zimbabwe.
The decision by member schools to offer the IGCSE and / or other non ZimSec examinations is based on the need to provide our parents / pupils with qualifications which have international "educational currency". I am bound to point out that at this time the ATS is not aware that any tertiary education institution or certification organisation has indicated that it would be unable to accept the ZimSec O Level. We are however, concerned that offering of alternative or optional curricula / examinations involves significant lead times on resourcing and implementation.
The ATS has reiterated that it greatly values the mutually co-operative and supportive relationship which it enjoys with the Ministry of Education. I have assured the Ministry that the ATS is mindful of the concerns raised by the Minister, that we wish to re-affirm our commitment to constructive dialogue with the Ministry and that I believe our objectives are wholly aligned in responding to the challenges of providing relevant, quality education for the people of this country. We are proud of the considerable investment which continues to be made by our parents in increasing the intellectual capital of Zimbabwe. Through the payment of fees, parents in the ATS system are investing close to Z$2 billion per annum in education. Government has repeatedly indicated that it cannot be expected to shoulder the full burden of providing education, health care, housing, infrastructural facilities and the like and that there is a need for private citizens and the enterprise community to contribute.
It is apparent that there is anxiety among our school communities regarding these issues. I would ask that all member schools should please keep parents and staff fully appraised of the situation. We are playing a vital role in the development of our country and should remain positive and focused on our objectives.
Best wishes to you all.
Yours sincerely for :
Association of Trust Schools
D E B LONG Chairman