Estimated enrolment in these institutions is over 100,000, making the private sector providers by far the major part of the sector. A total of approximately 18,500 students are enrolled in the seven universities in Zimbabwe. All non-government schools are approved by the Ministry and registered in accordance with the appropriate legislation. Fees are theoretically controlled and approved by the Ministry. Fees vary widely, depending on the responsible authority, location and type of school.
Private schools receive no education sector specific tax or customs duty concessions.
The significant growth experienced in the number of registered private sector providers in technical and vocational education during the 1990s is in part due to a more accommodating Government policy environment. Employers have been able to establish their own training facilities to either supplement the training their staff and apprentices receive at Government institutions or to by pass the Government institutions altogether. If Government policies towards PSTIs do not change adversely, the demand for education and training is expected to encourage new entrants and expansion by established institutions. Overall, there is tremendous demand for quality schooling at all levels and this demand is being exacerbated by the constraint in public resources and by rising demands for relevant secondary and tertiary education. Private sector financing must play an integral role in helping to overcome these educational deficits and the present inequality.