The Gweru Magistrates' Court has fined Herentals College $300 for operating an education center without proper paperwork. This nationwide private school chain set up shop in downtown Gweru but skipped an important step. They never asked the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education for permission to operate there, breaking the rules laid out in the Education Act.
Herentals College teaches the Zimbabwean curriculum to elementary and high school students across the country. They focus on book learning and practical skills. But their downtown Gweru location missed the mark on legal requirements. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe found they had been running this unauthorized center for over three years.
From 2022 until March 2025, the college taught between 400 and 500 students at this location. They hired eight teachers for different subjects, all without official approval. When officials checked with the Ministry, they confirmed no paperwork had ever been filed for this branch. The Ministry requires all independent schools to register - it helps them check that schools meet basic standards.
The court decided on a $300 fine, which might not seem like much money. However, the case sends a clear message to other schools. Even well-known education providers must follow the law. No matter how good your reputation is, you need to complete the proper paperwork. The fine highlights that every school needs to play by the same rules, regardless of its size or name.
Herentals College teaches the Zimbabwean curriculum to elementary and high school students across the country. They focus on book learning and practical skills. But their downtown Gweru location missed the mark on legal requirements. The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe found they had been running this unauthorized center for over three years.
From 2022 until March 2025, the college taught between 400 and 500 students at this location. They hired eight teachers for different subjects, all without official approval. When officials checked with the Ministry, they confirmed no paperwork had ever been filed for this branch. The Ministry requires all independent schools to register - it helps them check that schools meet basic standards.
The court decided on a $300 fine, which might not seem like much money. However, the case sends a clear message to other schools. Even well-known education providers must follow the law. No matter how good your reputation is, you need to complete the proper paperwork. The fine highlights that every school needs to play by the same rules, regardless of its size or name.
