Minister Ziyambi Defends Schools’ Use Of Debt Collectors, Urges Parents To Pay Fees On Time

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has defended schools’ use of debt collectors to recover outstanding fees, saying parents must honour payment agreements they voluntarily enter into with educational institutions.

The minister said schools are entitled to enforce agreed payment conditions, including charging interest on overdue amounts, but must ensure that learners are not caught up in disputes over their parents’ financial obligations.

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Schools Can Enforce Fees Payment Agreements

Minister Ziyambi made the remarks during the National Assembly’s question-and-answer session on Wednesday, where he addressed concerns surrounding schools engaging debt collectors to recover unpaid tuition fees and levies.

According to The Herald, Minister Ziyambi argued that parents who commit to specific payment arrangements should be held accountable when they fail to meet their obligations.

According to the minister, the Government cannot intervene in private agreements voluntarily entered into between parents and schools, including arrangements that provide for interest charges and other measures in the event of late payment.

He urged parents to take greater responsibility for meeting their children’s educational expenses rather than objecting when institutions resort to debt recovery measures.

“So, I think if we want to be truthful to ourselves, we need to educate each other that if you have your child, it is your responsibility to ensure that fees are paid on time rather than for us to complain about interest charges or being handed over to a debt collector,” Minister Ziyambi said.

Schools Must Not Withhold Learners’ Results

Despite defending schools’ right to recover outstanding fees, the minister insisted that children must not suffer because their parents have failed to pay.

He said educational institutions should not withhold examination results, block learners from attending classes or prevent them from progressing to the next academic level over unpaid fees.

Instead, schools should direct their debt recovery efforts towards the parents responsible for settling the outstanding amounts.

“Do not punish the pupil, give the learner their results and let them proceed with their education uninterrupted, but go for the parent,” he said.

Government Position Applies To All Schools

Minister Ziyambi said the protection of learners applies across the education sector, regardless of whether an institution is publicly or privately owned.

He maintained that payment arrangements should never disadvantage children or interfere with their access to education.

“We have privately owned schools and our policy is that in whatever arrangement pertaining to tuition, fees and levies, learners should not be prejudiced and that is the policy across the board,” he said.

The minister reiterated that while parents are expected to fulfil their financial commitments, schools must find ways of recovering outstanding fees without disrupting learners’ education.