Education Ministry dismisses ‘school renaming’ claims as preliminary consultation

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has dismissed speculation surrounding a leaked internal document on the possible renaming of schools in Harare’s Mbare/Hatfield District, saying no decisions have been made. Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said the document circulating online is part of an early-stage consultation process and should not be interpreted as policy.

“We wish to clarify the context to avoid unnecessary speculation. The memo in question is part of a very preliminary, internal information-gathering exercise,” Ndoro said in an interview. “As a Ministry, we routinely undertake consultative processes to gather proposals and justifications from a small selection of schools on a variety of matters.”

He stressed that the exercise is not a directive or announcement of changes.

“This is simply an initial request for suggestions—nothing more. It is not a decision, a directive, or an announcement of imminent changes,” Ndoro added.

Authorities moved to reassure the public that no schools have been renamed and no formal proposal has been submitted to decision-making bodies.

“No school names have been changed, and no final proposal has been tabled before the relevant authorities,” Ndoro said.

The clarification comes after the alleged leak sparked debate among parents and alumni, particularly in communities around Harare, where school identity and heritage are often closely tied to local history.

Ndoro emphasised that any future consideration of renaming schools would follow a structured and inclusive process.

“This would involve comprehensive consultations with all stakeholders, including parents, former students, local communities and traditional leaders,” he said.

Education policy expert Stephen Chikozho said such processes are critical in maintaining public trust.

“School names carry historical and cultural significance. Any changes must be carefully handled through broad consultation,” he noted.

Officials say the ministry regularly conducts internal reviews and consultations as part of ongoing policy development and system improvement. Analysts say the controversy highlights how quickly internal documents can be misinterpreted when shared publicly without context.

The ministry has urged the public to rely on official communication channels for accurate information and to avoid spreading unverified claims. As discussions around education reform and institutional identity continue, authorities say transparency and stakeholder engagement will remain central to any future decisions.

Zimbabwe school renaming