Charging For Extra Lessons Is Corruption In Public Office: Ministry Of Education Issues Stern Warning To Teachers
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has issued a stern warning to teachers who charge learners for extra lessons, declaring the practice “corruption in public office” and warning of disciplinary and criminal consequences. The warning comes amid rising complaints from parents who say extra lessons in public schools have morphed into informal pay-to-learn schemes, with some families allegedly feeling pressured to pay or risk their children being sidelined.
The remarks were made on 9 February 2026 by the ministry’s Director of Communications and Advocacy, Taungana Ndoro, during a meeting in Bulawayo, as concerns widen beyond teachers to include school heads and School Development Committees (SDCs).
“This Is Corruption In Public Office”
Ndoro said teachers who demand payment for extra lessons are abusing the authority of their publicly funded roles.
“This is corruption in public office. The office of a teacher is the classroom. If that teacher uses the power and authority within him or her to say, ‘parent, give me money so that I can teach your child,’ a job which you are already being paid for by government, then you are corrupt and you are supposed to be put to task.”
He said parents are entitled to question fees for extra lessons, including charges of US$10 (about R190) or US$20 (about R380) per week or month.
“You ask the teacher, and the teacher has to respond to you, and that response becomes the basis for further complaints,” Ndoro said.
Warnings Of Jail Time And Reporting Channels
Ndoro rejected arguments that extra lessons help struggling learners or compensate for low salaries.
“If the teacher says, ‘I’m not earning enough and I’m trying to supplement,’ that is corruption,” he said, likening the practice to bribery by border or tax officials.
“It’s a case for which you can face two offences. One through the public service regulations and two through the criminal law and codification acts. You go to court and can end up behind bars just for asking US$10 (about R190) from every child,” he said.
He urged parents to report concerns to the class teacher first, then to the school head.
“The head represents the permanent secretary, the minister, and in some cases even the President. Accountability starts there,” Ndoro said.
He acknowledged weaknesses in the system.
“We have challenges where some district school inspectors work hand-in-hand in cahoots with some heads of schools,” he said, alleging inducements such as food supplies to block investigations.
Uniform Sales Declared Illegal In Public Schools
Ndoro also addressed complaints about schools forcing parents to buy uniforms from the institution.
“No school is allowed to force parents to buy uniforms at that school,” he said, citing Thekwane High School as a case under investigation.
He said parents may buy uniforms anywhere, provided colour codes are followed.
“If a blazer is US$35 (about R665) in the market and US$45 (about R855) at school, parents will go to the market,” he said.
He clarified that private schools operate under contractual arrangements, though still subject to ministry oversight.
According to the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE), the ministry has urged parents to use formal reporting channels “so that parents do not suffer in silence.”
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