Zimbabwe’s Education Minister Says Private Sector Must Build More Schools Amidst National Shortfall

Zimbabwe Minister Urges Private Sector To Help Build 1900 New Schools

The government of Zimbabwe has issued a direct call to the private sector, urging businesses to step in and construct new schools. This urgent appeal comes as the nation grapples with a severe shortage of approximately 1,900 educational institutions. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerai Moyo, has publicly stated that private investment is now essential to bridge this critical gap and ensure children across the country can access education.

A Dire National Shortfall Prompts Drastic Appeal

According to the Daily News, the shortage of schools is a pressing national issue. Minister Moyo confirmed the staggering figure, highlighting a deficit of nearly two thousand institutions.

This situation has created significant challenges for learners, especially in remote and rural communities. Many children are forced to undertake long, arduous walks simply to receive an education. In a statement, the Minister laid out the government’s position with clarity.

“Private sector must build schools,” Minister Moyo was quoted as saying in the Daily News.

The government’s strategy involves actively encouraging private entities and individuals to invest in the education sector. The goal is to rapidly increase the number of schools available to the population.

Minister Moyo emphasised that this private involvement is not just welcome, but necessary to address the scale of the problem facing the nation.

Crackdown On Illegal Schools Coincides With New Push

In a related move to manage the educational landscape, the government announced a major policy shift to decentralise school registration. This initiative is designed to tackle the growing number of illegally operating schools while simultaneously encouraging lawful private investment.

Minister Moyo explained the rationale behind this change to Senators, noting that the current centralised system has contributed to the problem.

The new process will empower provincial offices to handle the registration of primary and secondary schools. This is expected to streamline applications and improve oversight, making it easier for compliant private players to establish institutions.

However, the government has also set a firm deadline for all unregistered schools to regularise their operations.

“The major challenge is some of these schools are not registered and are operating illegally,” Minister Moyo told The Herald. “However, private schools are necessary because as a country, we have a shortage of schools. So we are encouraging individuals who want to operate schools to do so but they must do so within the confines of the law.”

A final deadline of 31 December 2025 has been set for the closure of all schools that fail to comply with national education regulations. This dual approach of encouraging development while enforcing standards shows the government’s attempt to solve the capacity crisis without compromising on quality and legality.

A Unified Call For Investment And Compliance

The government’s message is a united one, combining a plea for investment with a warning against operating outside the law.

Minister Moyo has made it clear that while the country desperately needs more schools, they must be built and run according to the official framework. The decentralisation of registration is pitched as a solution to help potential builders navigate the system more efficiently.

The ultimate aim is to ensure that every new school meets the required national standards, providing safe and adequate learning environments for Zimbabwe’s children. The coming months will be a critical test to see if the private sector answers this call.