In an announcement made yesterday, Mr. Moses Mhike, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, stated that schools in Zimbabwe will not be allowed to conduct vacation classes during the upcoming holiday. The decision comes after extensive consultations and considering the smooth progress of the school term without any disruptions to the teaching and learning process.
Mr. Mhike expressed appreciation for the requests received to permit vacation classes for examination classes such as Grade 7, Ordinary and Advanced level students during the April holiday. However, it was concluded that students require this break to rest and engage in independent learning, including utilizing alternative learning strategies such as the Zimbabwe Learning Passport.
Acknowledging the dedication and commitment of teachers, Mr. Mhike commended the seamless teaching and learning that took place during the first term of the year.
He urged Provincial Education Directors to enforce the directive strictly and ensure that no vacation classes are conducted during the holiday.
The government's decision to ban holiday lessons is aimed at preventing the abuse of such classes by teachers who neglect their responsibilities during regular school hours. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has been taking steps to enforce the ban on privately-paid extra lessons, as some teachers were exploiting desperate parents for additional income.
Teachers in the public system are prohibited from charging for extra lessons, although they can provide extra tuition for the entire class without additional compensation. The Zimbabwe Republic Police has also warned teachers against mistreating students and demanding cash from parents for extra lessons, emphasizing that such practices are illegal.
