THE Government has given the green light to schools and parents to work out a pro-rata system for the third term’s school fees for non-examination classes, as some pupils will only have face-to-face learning for 30 days.

Last month, the Government announced a phased approach to schools opening that saw three examination classes — Grade 7, Form 4 and Upper Sixth — opening on 28 September under Phase One.

Under Phase Two, next year’s examination classes — Grade 6, Form 3 and Lower Sixth will open on 26 October while the rest ECD A and B, Grades 1 to 5 and Forms 1 and 2 will open on 9 November.

Under the new directive, Zimsec public examinations will begin on 1 December while other classes will close on 18 December.

Under these rules, Phase 1 pupils will have face-to-face learning at school for an average of 60 days, Phase 2 classes 40 days while Phase 3 pupils will learn for 30 days. The majority of schools have, however, throughout the lockdown, been offering online classes, which some academics have said are not effective.

Director of communications and advocacy in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Mr Taungana Ndoro told Sunday News yesterday that it was procedural that schools management meet parents and agree to come up with a fees pro-rata system for pupils who will attend classes for face-to-face learning for a few days.

“That is the procedure, schools and parents come together and agree the pro-rata system, once they agree on the amount the classes will pay, they then forward to us for approval,” he said.-The Sunday News