The Wasu Post Reporter
Mutare| 5November , 2025 — Parents with children at Gomorefu High School have raised alarm over the institution’s decision to peg school fees using a rate higher than both the official and black-market exchange rates — a move that directly violates government policy.
According to concerned parents, the school is charging Zig35 per US$1, despite the official interbank rate standing at Zig27 per US$1 and the parallel market averaging Zig32 to Zig33.
“When I went to the bank, the official rate was 27 Zig per dollar, but the school insists on 35. This is more than the black market rate. How can a government school charge above illegal market rates?” questioned one parent.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has repeatedly warned schools against pegging fees using illegal exchange rates or demanding payment exclusively in foreign currency.
Government policy, as outlined in Secretary’s Circular No. 10 of 2022, clearly states that all schools must accept the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) as legal tender and calculate its equivalent using the official interbank rate.
Last year, authorities issued stern warnings to both private and public schools found violating this directive. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has also confirmed that charging at parallel market rates is a punishable offense.
FIU Director Mr. Oliver Chiperesa previously stated that schools found manipulating exchange rates could face severe penalties, including freezing of bank accounts or personal liability for school heads.
“Our approach is to engage the school authorities first, but where there’s defiance, we take firm action. No school is allowed to use self-imposed or black market rates,” said Chiperesa.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Mr. Taungana Ndoro, reiterated that the government’s position remains unchanged.
“In accordance with policy, school fees must be paid in local currency at the official rate. No school must force parents to pay in foreign currency or use illegal conversion rates,” he said.
Parents are now urging the Ministry to intervene at Gomorefu High School before the situation escalates.
Education authorities have encouraged affected parents to report such violations to district schools inspectors or the Ministry offices for immediate investigation.