By Own Correspondent| School heads sanctioning the expulsion of pupils for not paying fees face disciplinary action from their employer, Primary and Secondary Education  Minister Professor Paul Mavima has said.

Professor Mavima’s statement comes in the wake of reports that a number of schools have been defying the Government directive with regards payment of fees.

According to a local weekly, some schools were last week sending pupils home while those that did not do so punished the pupils who had fees arreas by making them sit in a hall while others were in class.

Professor Mavima said Government was going to be heavy handed in dealing with school heads who were defying the Government directive.

He said disciplinary action would be taken on schools that trample on Government policy with reckless abandon adding that the era of empty threats was long gone.

“Disciplinary action will be taken out on schools found paying no attention to the Government policy on excluding pupils from classes for school feels.

As a ministry we are very concerned about schools that disregard the Government directive instructing schools not to send away pupils for not paying school fees.

We have not yet received all the specific names of schools that are doing so. We therefore appeal to the public not to protect such schools but they should come forward and report because schools are aware of the Government policy.

They are aware that nothing has changed because we did not communicate any changes. They are simply testing our patience.”-StateMedia