Parents at Muzika Primary School in Guruve are now paying school fees using chickens, turkeys and goats as cash is scarce in the rural areas. School chairman Percy Muzika says most parents have no US dollars or local currency, so they agreed to accept livestock instead.
A chicken can pay for US$6 worth of fees, a fat turkey $25 and even a goat around US$20. The school keeps the chickens and later sells them for a profit to cover feed costs. They now have over 100 road runner chickens!
Parent Kudakwashe Manyeza says “This is one creative way to make sure our kids get an education. US dollars are hard to come by here.”
The idea came from a project giving out small livestock to improve incomes.
Less than 25% of kids can pay fees in cash so accepting livestock makes it easier. The school has used the money to build a teachers’ house.
Chairman Muzika appeals for help, saying “We need more classrooms. Teachers need houses. We need to raise more income.”
They’re hoping donors will help build up Muzika Primary so farm fowl can fund their children’s fees!
