ZIMBABWE
EDUCATION ACT –
1987 Amended
2006
Definition of Education Act
It is one of government instruments for meeting
identified (National Goals).
it is a legislative instrument/ law passed by Parliament
that governs the education of a country.
Focuses on specific goals and spells out the role of
education in the society
Pronounces the educational objectives and the means or
resources to be used.
The 2006 Education Act is
meant to:
Declare Fundamental Rights and objectives of
education in Zimbabwe
establish, maintain and regulate government schools,
Colleges and other government facilities
register and control correspondence of independent
colleges
establish and administer non government schools and
Teachers colleges and for registration and control
thereof
make financial provisions for schools and colleges
National Goals
The 2006 Act has the following as the objectives of
education in Zimbabwe (for every school/college)
Compulsory education:- every child has to be educated
(fundamental rights to education)
Every child in Zimbabwe has the right to school
education. The Act clearly states that,(No child in
Zimbabwe shall be refused admission/entry to any
school). Primary education for every child of school
going age shall be compulsory.
It shall be the duty of the parent of any child to ensure
that such child attends primary/ secondary education.
National Goals
Any person who contravenes the above rights shall be
guilty of an offence and liable to a fine.
No child shall be discriminated against. The act further
removes discrimination by stating that (No child in
Zimbabwe shall be refused entry in any school on
grounds of his/her race, tribe, place of origin,
national/ethnic origin, political opinion, color, creed or
gender
National goals
The policy statement embraces children with challenges
as well. Samkange (1990) confirms that prior to national
independence in 1979 there were about two thousand
children with challenges benefitting from school
education throughout Zimbabwe. The situation has
since improved with more such children being enrolled
in schools.
The policy allows the recognition of the rights of
children with challenges/disabilities to equal
educational opportunities
Education is a human right. All people are entitled to
acquire it. It should be broadened and continuous
beginning from pre school to tertiary.
Minimum fees for education
Tuition should be provided for the lowest possible fees
consistent with the maintenance of high standards of
education (including the making of grants and other
subsidies-affordable
General function of the
Minister
To promote and enhance the education of the people of
Zimbabwe and the progressive development of
institutions devoted to that purpose
General duty of local
authority
Ensuring a fair and equitable provision of primary and
secondary education –every local authority is expected
to establish and maintain primary and secondary schools
as may be necessary for all children in the area under
its jurisdiction.
Types of schools in Zimbabwe
We have two categories of schools
(a) government schools: which are both established and
maintained by government
prescribes school fees, makes sure that each school
maintains a general purpose fund which is for extra
curricula activities and facilitates for the cultural,
physical and intellectual welfare of the pupils in
attendance.
Non government Schools
Can only be operational if registered
Should have suitable premises
Qualified and experienced teachers
The requisite equipment
Money for maintenance of school operations
Languages to be used in
schools
All the 3 main languages to be used i.e. English,
Ndebele, ChiShona shall be taught on an equal time
basis in all schools up to form two level
In areas where indigenous other than the above are
spoken ,the minister may authorize the teaching of such
languages in addition to the listed above. Foreign
languages can also be authorized
Prior to form one any one of the languages ie English,
ChiShona Ndebele(all indigenous languages) can be used
as the medium of instruction depending on which of
these is more or commonly spoken and better
understood by the pupils
Sign language: shall be the medium of instruction for
the deaf and hard of hearing.
Fees and levies payable
No responsible authority shall
(a) charge any fees or levy or
(b)raise fees and levies without authority from the
ministry
Health
Ministry safeguards the health of children in schools
Appoints health inspectors who can close the school in
case of poor health facilities
Multi-disciplinary personnel like psychologists,
psychiatrists, doctors, physiotherapists help trs in
assessment of pupils
Educational implications
Educationists should:-
value education as a human right as clearly articulated
in the Education Act
All children should follow the same curriculum
regardless of which school they are learning in (children
will have no problems if they transfer to different
schools since the curriculum will be the same)
EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS
Pupils are expected to master the national curriculum
at all levels regardless of their status
Appreciate children learning differences and needs
Facilitate for smooth financial/fees provisions like BEAM
Allow pupils to be enrolled at a primary school which is
nearest to the place where he/she is
ordinarily resident unless such primary or secondary school
is fully enrolled
Provide free universal education to all children
(ADD MORE IMPLICATIONS)
