“STOP CHARGING SCHOOL FEES “
Muchinga Province Minister HENRY SIKAZWE has warned school authorities in the region to desist from requesting parents to pay school fees as the Government has introduced the free education policy.
And foreigners are reportedly sneaking into Zambia at Nakonde border to access education following the introduction of free education from Grades 1 to Grade 12.
Mr SIKAZWE says it has come to his attention that some named schools in Mpika district are requesting for school fees and other requisites.
He warns that schools found wanting will not be spared but dealt with severely.
Mr SIKAZWE says the government is doing everything possible to provide free education to everyone to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor through schooling.
He says schools should not request for money, reams of paper or floor polish stating that all these components are included in the grants that Government has given them.
The Minister has since directed Mpika District Commissioner DAVID SIAME to quickly act on the matter.
Mr SIKAZWE was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Chief CHIKWANDA in the company of the Mpika District Commissioner DAVID SIAME and other government officials.
Meanwhile, Chief CHIKWANDA assured the Minister of a swift action on the matter.
He wondered what the said schools want to achieve by getting money from both the government and parents.
Chief CHIKWANDA said he will engage all the headmen in his chiefdom to follow up the matter and educate his subjects on the free education policy.
And foreigners are reportedly sneaking into Zambia at Nakonde border to access free education.
UPND Muchinga Province Coordinator FREDRICK CHIMEYA alleged that following the implementation of free education policy, there is an influx of people from a neighbouring enrolling their children in Grade 1.
Mr. CHIMEYA told ZANIS in an interview it is difficult to know most of the foreigners coming from across the border because they have similar family surnames as Zambians.
The UPND Muchinga Province Coordinator has since advised the relevant authorities under Ministry of Education to scrutinise the birth records of all pupils without fail.
And when reached for a comment, Muchinga Provincial Education Officer ALLAN KAOMA said his office has received reports of foreigners sneaking into Zambia at Nakonde border to access free education in Zambian schools.
Dr. KAOMA said he has since travelled to Nakonde on a fact finding mission.
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