SCHOOLS that have unilaterally hiked fees and those charging foreign currency without approval risk deregistration, Government has warned.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema yesterday said schools should strictly adhere to current regulations.

The second term was supposed to begin this week but President Emmerson Mnangagwa indicated that conditions are not yet conducive for a safe learning environment, especially in the wake of growing coronavirus cases.

Despite being closed, most private schools are demanding upwardly reviewed fees, which have raised the ire of parents and guardians, who view them as exorbitant.

Minister Mathema said schools that intend to hike their fees should seek approval first, while those demanding foreign currency should stop the practice forthwith.

“I must warn them that I will not hesitate to deregister those out of line. We need as many schools open as possible, but regulations must be adhered to,” he said.

“Some schools even have the guts to charge in US dollars, openly, in broad daylight — we are saying that is not good. It must stop!”

Amb Mathema said the Education Act provides for the approval of any changes in school fees for both private and public institutions.

“I have seen some invoices but as Government, we don’t think this is the right time for people to be asking about money when everyone else is worried about human life.

“Having said that, I would like to emphasise that all fees increases have to be approved by the Permanent Secretary (Mrs Thabela Tumisang) and there are no such applications at the ministry yet.”-State media