Sunday Mail
31 January 2010
Sunday Mail Reporter
Parents wishing to enroll their children for kindergarten in Harare will have to think twice as it has emerged that pre-schools in the city are demanding as much as US$600 per term in fees.
A Sunday Mail survey last week revealed that the cost of pre-schooling is much higher than that of higher and tertiary education. First year students at the University of Zimbabwe are paying US$350 per semester while city colleges are charging about US$50 per month.
It emerged that most private pre-schools are charging between US$200 and US$600 per term on top of transport fees and groceries.
Sunderland pre-school in Belvedere requires a child to pay US$200 per month while Sunrise pre-school in Milton Park is asking for US$480 per term.
A primary or high school student attending a government school in high density areas pays between US$5 and US$20 per term.
The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart said most pre-schools were privately owned and did not have fees set for them by the Ministry.
Pre-schools are, however, registered and approved by the Ministry.
“There are no set fees for these private pre-schools, that is why they are charging high levies. Government pre-schools are quite affordable and we set reasonable fees for them.†he said.
“Once the Ministry approves a pre- school, the school enters into a contract with the parents under which they agree on certain fees,†said Sen. Coltart.
Those operating pre-schools are believed to be making a lot of money from the business and this accounts for the huge increase in the number of the schools over the past few years.
As a strategy to help parents, the Government has since introduced Grade Zero classes for pupils where they are taught creative skills.
A parent who spoke to The Sunday Mail last week, Mrs Tendai Chireru, said the majority of these kindergarten operators were charging exorbitant prices considering the age of the children.
“These operators are milking parents countrywide since they demand groceries and cash some of which I believe is diverted for personal use,†said Mrs Chireru.
A Harare based headmaster who spoke on condition of anonymity said parents were the ones to blame as they were choosing elitist kindergarten homes.
“Parents should bring their children to Government schools since we have the same qualified and experienced staff as those operating in private kindergarten homes,†he said.