By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Irritation and disbelief are palpable among parents and citizens in Gweru Province following an official directive from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education mandating all schools to hold a Civics Day to raise funds for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations scheduled Nembudziya in Gokwe.
The controversial directive , announced in a letter dated March 24, 2025, has sparked a wave of outrage directed at the government, as many feel it unfairly burdens students and families with the cost of national festivities.
According to the widely circulated letter addressed to the Midlands Province Primary Education Director, each student is expected to contribute no more than $1 during the Civics Day event an amount that, while modest, has ignited a backlash among parents who take issue with the notion of kids being used as fundraisers for governmental events.
Parents are particularly incensed about the rationale behind this mandatory contribution.
“Why should our children be tasked with financing festivities? This isn’t a fundraiser for their sports teams; it’s a requirement imposed by the very system that’s supposed to nurture their education,” another parent noted in an online comment.
Another parent exclaimed, “It’s an insult turning our children into a source of income for the government instead of focusing on their education.”
The Civics Day, deemed a “once-off event,” is intended to help fund not just the regalia, food, and fuel for the Gweru district’s delegation, which includes 205 students and 20 teachers, but also to cover unforeseen costs associated with the celebrations on April 18, 2025.
The policy requires schools to deposit the collected funds directly into the Better Schools Programme of Zimbabwe bank account, and this has raised questions about financial transparency and accountability.
“Who will ensure that this money is spent responsibly? We have seen how easily funds go missing in public projects,”questioned local citizen.
With many schools struggling to provide necessary resources and facilities, the expectation that they should raise funds for government-sponsored events is seen as an abdication of responsibility by the authorities.
As the outcry continues, many are calling for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to reconsider this mandate and provide a funding solution that does not exploit students and their families.
“We want to celebrate Independence Day, but not at the expense of our children’s education and well-being,” concluded a frustrated parent.