“Primary Education Now Compulsory”
27 July 2019
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Primary education will now be State-funded and compulsory, and parents and guardians will be imprisoned if they fail to send their children to school, should amendments to the Education Bill sail through Parliament.


On Thursday, the National Assembly accepted amendments from Proportional Representation legislator, Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga (MDC-T), which seek to criminalise the failure by parents or guardians to allow children to attain State-assisted basic education.


This came out during the Committee stage of the Education Bill, which was being steered by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima.


The National Assembly accepted amendments from Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga to delete Clause Four of the Bill and replace it with another one that provides for compulsory education.


The new clause now reads as follows: Section 5 (“Compulsory education”), of the principal Act is repealed and substituted with the following: –5 Compulsory Education (1) Every child shall be entitled to compulsory basic State-funded education. (2) Any parent who deprives their child the right to basic State-funded education shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 6 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years.”


Before the clause was acceded to, Prof Mavima said he was in agreement with the relevant amendments.


“We did concede to the proposed amendment and we also think the duty to ensure the right to education should fall on the guardians as well. So, compulsory will also mean that the parents or guardians would have an obligation to make sure that learners go to school,” said Prof Mavima.State media

Paul Mavima