Byo Parents Protest Over Levy Hike
Parents at a primary school in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, protested against an unexplained increase in school levies. The dispute led to a brief police presence at the school, with parents demanding transparency and formal meetings regarding the fee structure.
Why it matters
The incident reflects broader economic pressures on families and the importance of regulatory compliance in educational administration.
Tensions briefly flared at Mahlathini Primary School in Cowdray Park on Tuesday after parents and guardians protested against what they described as an unexplained increase in school levies.
The parents questioned why the Bulawayo City Council-run school had increased the levies without adequately notifying them.
The situation briefly became tense, prompting municipal police officers to be deployed to the school.
Parents later continued making payments while two municipal police officers were seen patrolling the school’s administration block.
The protests came as Grade Seven pupils were sitting for examinations at the school.
One parent said some families had received letters showing outstanding balances despite having no arrears.
“The school sent letters stating that we owed varying amounts in school levies although we didn’t owe outstanding monies. The manner in which the school levies were reviewed upwards without notifying us was not done the right way,” said the parent.
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