EDUCATION is often celebrated as the great equaliser, the cornerstone of any nation aspiring to prosperity and equity. However, when access to this essential right is marred by practices that seem more like legalised extortion, the very foundation of societal progress is shaken. Across Zimbabwe, the issue of ‘desk fees’ being charged by schools for Form One and new students has become a contentious topic. This practice, ostensibly meant to cover infrastructure or administrative costs, is a thinly veiled form of bribery that has left parents frustrated and students’ futures uncertain. The term ‘desk fee’ has taken on a life of its own in recent times. Ostensibly, these fees are meant to secure resources like desks, chairs or other infrastructural needs that schools claim are not covered by standard tuition fees.

In reality, these charges often appear arbitrary, with little transparency or accountability about how the money is used. Parents find themselves coerced into paying exorbitant sums, often in cash, as a prerequisite for their children to secure a place in a school — even when they have already paid the official tuition fees set by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Some schools are charging as much as US$1 500 in ‘desk fees’. What makes this practice even more disconcerting is its timing. Desk fees are often demanded during Form One enrolment, a critical transition point in a student’s education. Many schools, particularly those with higher reputations, leverage their perceived prestige to demand these additional payments, fully aware that parents are desperate to secure places for their children. To many, ‘desk fees’ represent nothing less than bribery cloaked in bureaucratic language.

The fundamental question arises: Why should parents pay for desks in addition to school fees? The rationale behind these charges is often as clear as mud, with no standardised guidelines on how they should be determined or collected. Some schools argue that their funding is insufficient, compelling them to seek alternative revenue streams. However, this explanation does little to justify the lack of transparency or the exorbitant sums being charged. In several cases, schools have gone as far as making such ‘desk fees’ mandatory, refusing admission to students whose parents cannot pay. This practice disproportionately affects low-income families, who are already struggling to meet the costs of basic education.

The result is a system that exacerbates inequality, turning education into a privilege for those who can afford it rather than a right for all. For parents, the demand for desk fees feels like a cruel betrayal. Many have worked tirelessly to save for their children’s education sacrificing many essentials to ensure they can afford tuition fees. The imposition of unbudgeted for ‘desk fees’ is not just a financial burden — it’s an emotional blow. “I had to borrow money just to pay the ‘desk fee’,” said Nkululeko Dube, a father of three from Harare. “The school told me it was non-negotiable.

My child’s place depended on it. What choice did I have?” The students these fees are meant to support often see little benefit. In many cases, schools fail to provide receipts or detailed accounts of how ‘desk fees’ are spent. This lack of accountability raises questions about whether these funds are being used for their intended purposes or merely lining the pockets of unscrupulous administrators. Education is too important to be compromised by greed and inefficiency. The ‘desk fee’ controversy is not just about money, it is shutting out children from getting the education they deserve. “When schools prioritise profit over students, they undermine the very essence of education as a tool for empowerment and equality.

For Zimbabwe to achieve its vision of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, it must invest in its greatest asset — its people. This begins with ensuring that every child, regardless of their economic background, has access to quality education. “Parents should not be forced to pay for what should already be included in school fees.

It’s time to put an end to this daylight robbery and ensure that every child in Zimbabwe has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive — without their future being held hostage by the size of their parents’ wallets,” said educationist Chenai Masawi. “It is surprising that some very old mission schools who are supposed to be leading by example are at the forefront of charging exorbitant desk fees of up to US$1 500,” bemoaned graphic designer Tapiwa Nyati, who is struggling to secure a Form One place for his daughter who passed her Grade Seven with eight units “The school fees are pegged at US$1 700. If your child intends to become a boarder then you must also buy a mattress. In other words, as parents we are expected to part with more than US$3 000 just to get our child into school,” said Nyati.